Elkhart city council passes camping ordinance 6-2

ELKHART, Ind. -- The Elkhart city council voted during their meeting at 7 o’clock on Monday on the proposed ordinance that would impose punishments for camping on public property, passing the ordinance 6-2. 

That ordinance also includes a ban on sleeping in cars on public property and gives the city the right to seize and Store possessions.

The camping decision is expected to have a large impact on the homeless population in Elkhart. If someone is found to be ignoring the ordinance, they will face fines or be told to move to a local homeless shelter with provided transportation, if possible, but Elkhart City Council president, Arvis Dawson, says fines will not be the first choice.

“Our intent is not to fine anybody, it’s to start a process where people understand that you just can’t camp anywhere and initially, I think there will just be some warnings, you know you can’t do that. I don’t think we’re going to go right away into the extreme of fining people,” said Dawson.

The meeting caused passionate conversation from both the public and city officials. People speaking both for and against the ordinance. Some explained they believe this will not address the root cause of homelessness in Elkhart and believe it could potentially increase the population, like community member Thomas Butler who addressed the council during public comment.

“I’m philosophically opposed to this. Just because of the basic respect for human rights and human dignity, and I hope you all feel that way too,” said Butler. 

Others, like council member Brent Curry explained they want to feel safer in the streets of Elkhart. He said he has spoken to many people across the city about this ordinance and he believes the business community of Elkhart is in support of it. 

“Our business community, they want this ordinance. Because they are tired of some of their customers being ran off, so I’m concerned about all people,” said Curry. 

This is the second time that the proposed ordinance is on the schedule for the Elkhart Council. It previously failed to pass in a 5 to 4 vote back in October. President Dawson explained that the fines and shelter transportation will begin after a 30-day grace period.