‘Unsafe Tenting’ Ordinance Banning Homeless in Tents to Take Impact Sunday

A brand new ordinance that prohibits tent encampments in all public areas all through the town of San Diego if shelter beds can be found will go into impact Sunday with enforcement starting Monday, officers stated.

The Unsafe Tenting Ordinance additionally bans tent encampments always in sure delicate areas — parks, canyons and close to colleges, transit stations and homeless shelters — no matter shelter capability.

Metropolis Council members voted 5-4 final month to present last approval on the measure, which was strongly favored by Mayor Todd Gloria and launched by Metropolis Councilman Stephen Whitburn.

“Because the Unsafe Tenting Ordinance takes impact, I encourage unsheltered folks to make the most of our new protected sleeping website or obtainable shelter beds,” Whitburn stated Friday in a press release.

“These choices are a lot safer and more healthy than dwelling on sidewalks or in parks,” the councilmember stated. “I additionally look ahead to all San Diegans having safer and more healthy neighborhoods the place public areas are used for his or her supposed functions. Collectively, we are able to enhance the standard of life in communities throughout San Diego.”

Some homeless advocates are involved the ordinance will solely push unhoused folks into different neighborhoods or cities.

Councilwoman Marni Von Wilpert included an modification that the ordinance not take impact till 30 days after the primary protected sleeping lot opened, to permit non-law enforcement social staff to be the primary contact with homeless folks.

The town’s first Protected Sleeping program website within the Golden Hill neighborhood opened on June 29, providing authorized tenting for these experiencing homelessness.

The town’s Central Operations Yard has a capability to carry 136 tents, every in an area measuring 13 ft by 13 ft. The variety of folks on the website could also be bigger than 136, as every tent can accommodate two folks and purchasers could have a associate or caretaker, officers stated.