DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Council chambers were packed for a special meeting on multiple ordinances tackling homelessness. Some call the legislation, which more strictly addresses homelessness, needed. Others say it criminalizes the most vulnerable in our community.
“We already had a cruel system. I have seen it first-hand. I have seen it happen. I have seen it after the fact. I have seen the cruelty and all that would do is speed it up," one local said.
“I also drive down MLK and I see the camping tents and I see what it does to our city and our community. I hear from our staff that have to go over the trash," Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly said.
While people passionately disagree about homeless ordinances, there’s one thing that everyone agrees on - homelessness is a growing issue in Des Moines.
“Des Moines Public Schools report 736 students are currently experiencing homelessness or unstable living conditions and, according to Homeward, as of July 15th, there were 133 families on the waiting list to enter a family shelter," United Way of Central Iowa's Dave Stone said.
One ordinance would ban camping on public property as well as sleeping on sidewalks, streets, alleys, doorways, or on public rights of way. People who violate these rules could be charged with a misdemeanor but the legislation states that they would not be jailed. They could also be fined $50 with the option of community service if they can’t pay.
Additionally, police will offer one-time transport or directions to a shelter as an alternative to being charged.
“This is a misdemeanor. Plain as day. Stating that it is not criminalization is very simply a lie," One Iowa's Keenan Crow said.
Council member Chris Coleman clarified with Local Five that, if there is no accessible shelter space when the violation occurs, a person will still be cited but that, in the appeals process, that could be used as a legitimate defense.
Another ordinance would give people at least a three-day notice to clear out an abandoned camp instead of the current 10-day notice rule. That also applies to camps that aren't abandoned but people simply aren't there when notice is given.
Both ordinances state that the city can temporarily store people's items after a camp is taken down.
“It is embarrassing to have visitors from out of town come - have people sleeping on the benches, sleeping in the sidewalks, sleeping on the grass," one local said.
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The city council has two more readings before they can pass those two ordinances.
"Homeless people are protected by the constitution, including due process, the right to be free from unwarranted searches and seizures, the right of free speech. This policy will violate people's rights," ACLU of Iowa's Mark Stringer said.
One resolution, however, passed unanimously on its first and final vote. That resolution encourages city officials to take steps such as reducing barriers to emergency shelter before enforcing the other two ordinances if they end up passing their final readings.
Councilmember Josh Mandelbaum voiced concern over the fact that that resolution is not binding.