A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds light and variable..
Tonight
A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Cloudy skies. Low 74F. Winds light and variable.
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. Ƶ The Williamson City Council passed an Ƶanti-campingƵ ordinance, which it says aims to target issues brought into downtown from the homeless population, during its meeting July 10.
ƵIn no way is it to punish people, but itƵs really more of a safety aspect for the city as a certain populations grow,Ƶ City Attorney Nathan Brown said. ƵƵ transients come in and out, just to better protect the people who are maybe more permanent. So thatƵs what the goal of it was, and that was the thinking behind it.Ƶ
The ordinance originally was brought to council on Oct 12, 2023; however, at the time a case in the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.
That last summer. The Supreme Court overturned a ruling from a California-based appeals court that found such laws amount to cruel and unusual punishment when shelter space is lacking, according to the Ƶsociated Press.
Since then, have enacted their own bans.
The official first reading of the ordinance, which was drafted by Brown, was at the June 12 council meeting.
Ƶ written, the ordinance prohibits camping on city property for the purpose of Ƶsleeping, preparing for sleeping, storing any personal property, performing cooking activities for habitation purposes upon any street, sidewalk, alley, easement, park, nature preserve, conservation park, parking lots, public grounds, public right of way, under a bridge or viaduct.Ƶ
Offenses could be punishable by up to a $500 fine, it reads.
Camping isnƵt completely banned, but an individual or group will need to receive a permit for it.
Brown said before the vote that the ordinance wasnƵt designed to punish anyone, but rather was a matter of public safety.
The voting was unanimous in favor of adopting the ordinance, which took effect immediately after passing.
