MERCED, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — The Merced City Council has voted to reconsider an ordinance to restrict camping in public spaces.
The ordinance states that a person can be charged with a misdemeanor offense if they sleep, occupy a camp facility, or use camp items like sleeping bags or beds in public areas like sidewalks, city streets, or parking lots.
During Monday night’s meeting, council members were locked in a debate over the word ‘sleep,’ which was used in the amendment.
Ultimately, the council voted to remove the word sleep.
This amendment includes schools and says people are not allowed to have an encampment within 500 feet of a school site.
The council wants to change it from 500 to 1,000 feet.
This amendment comes after the cities across the country are now required to remove encampments from public spaces after a Supreme Court ruling in a separate case from Oregon.
The ordinance will be held in a collaboration effort between the police department, public works, and local partners that provide resources to the unhoused community.
Under the ordinance, people who illegally camp in public spaces could be subject to fines.
First offenders would receive a $250 fine.
A second offense could result in a $500 fine, and a third could cost $1,000.
If someone continues to violate the amendment, they could serve up to 30 days in jail.
Over the summer, Governor Gavin Newsom told local government agencies to address encampments or risk losing out on state funding.
He also ordered state agencies to do the same after a Supreme Court ruling that cleared the way for camping bans.
