ARIZONA NEWS

New Phoenix ordinance bans urban camping near schools, parks, shelters and day cares

May 30, 2024, 7:25 AM | Updated: 7:31 am

Street camping in Phoenix limited with passing of ordinance...

People experiencing homelessness will no longer be able to sleep or camp near schools, day care centers, city parks and shelters in Phoenix on Sept. 1. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

PHOENIX — Street camping in Phoenix is no longer allowed within 500 feet of schools, shelters, parks and day cares.

That’s because the Phoenix City Council unanimously voted to ban urban encampments in these areas on Wednesday. Once the law goes into effect on Sept. 1, people who violate the law will face a $100 fine for the class 3 misdemeanor.

Phoenix District 1 Councilwoman Ann O’Brien introduced the ordinance. Before the final vote, she said several Californian cities have passed similar laws.

“Cities from California, from Los Angeles to San Diego, have implemented similar ordinances for the purposes of protecting vulnerable populations,” O’Brien said.

That’s what this ordinance is for, she added.

“It’s so that no child must walk past a line of tents on their way to school or play in a playground with tents pressed up against their school fence,” O’Brien said. “It’s so our community members can feel safer going to their parks and so those who are receiving services have a higher chance of success by not being surrounded by those encampments.”

This ordinance can also help parents from communities along the Interstate 17 corridor who worry about their children walking to school or going to day care, she added.

“I was told stories of encampments along sidewalks leading up to schools and crowds of folks openly doing drugs at parking lots of day cares,” O’Brien said.

City leaders say limit on street camping in Phoenix will help community

The passing of this new ordinance expands the city’s previous urban camping law, which only applied to parks, city buildings and parking lots.

Various city leaders said the purpose of the ordinance is to encourage people experiencing homelessness to access available services. Essentially, they framed it as a helpful measure rather than a punitive one.

Gina Montes, the deputy city manager, said this measure could also help keep people indoors during dangerously high temperatures. Maricopa County recorded 645 heat-related deaths in 2023.

“The more opportunities we have to encourage people experiencing homelessness to come indoors, whether that’s a shelter or a heat respite sites, the more we help to reduce the number of heat-related deaths and illnesses in the community,” Montes said during Wednesday’s meeting.

Phoenix District 2 Councilman Jim Waring added that this ordinance could encourage people to feel safe when visiting parks or the light rail system.

“We’ve had incidences, apparently, with mothers taking kids to parks and finding a dead body,” Waring said. “We can’t allow that to go on, so, ultimately, it’s not even a question of what’s right and wrong. We simply can’t have people living the way they’re living.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

fatal shooting southeast Phoenix one man dead...

Payne Moses

Police investigating fatal shooting that left 1 man dead in southeast Phoenix

Phoenix police are investigating a fatal shooting in southeast Phoenix on Friday that left one man dead. The incident is being viewed as an act of self-defense.

3 hours ago

Phoenix woman hit killed by car West Phoenix...

Payne Moses

Woman dead after hit by car while crossing street in west Phoenix

An adult woman was struck and killed by a car on Friday while crossing a street in west Phoenix, authorities said.

4 hours ago

I17 Bumble Bee bridge ADOT construction Feb. 10-12 overnight...

Payne Moses

I-17 overnight closures next week to remove old Bumble Bee bridge

The southbound Interstate 17 will be closed overnight from Monday to Wednesday due to scheduled reconstruction of the Bumble Bee bridge.

5 hours ago

asthma GSK Arizona AG Kris Mayes sues for exploiting drug maker...

Payne Moses

Arizona AG accuses asthma drug maker of scheming to avoid Medicaid rebates

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on Thursday sued drug producer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for harm done to asthma patients by discontinuing a long-time product.

7 hours ago

According to a recent study, film production in the metro Phoenix area generated $29.1 million in e...

David Veenstra

2024 film projects made $29.1M in economic impact on Phoenix area, new report says

According to a recent study, film production in the metro Phoenix area generated $29.1 million in economic impact in 2024.

9 hours ago

Tucson border patrol...

Roxanne De La Rosa

3 men arrested near Tucson after fleeing from Border Patrol

Tucson Border Patrol agents arrested three men on Tuesday near the southern border, after they tried to flee from law enforcement.

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

New Phoenix ordinance bans urban camping near schools, parks, shelters and day cares