Two proposed Oklahoma City ordinances meant to handle homelessness have been struck down throughout a metropolis council assembly Tuesday.
“At the end of these discussions, I’m going to move to introduce these ordinances,” stated Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher.
Related: OKC Councilman Proposes Large Fines, Possible Arrests To Address Homelessness
Stonecipher’s assertion was made early within the council’s assembly. The concern wouldn’t discover a decision till early Tuesday afternoon. Discussions lasted for about 5 hours.
Stonecipher was one in all three councilmen to suggest adjustments to metropolis ordinances concerning trespassing and encampments.
Under the proposed ordinances, these requested to go away public or personal property can be given a warning and an inventory of sources.
Those who wouldn’t comply would then be topic to fines or probably jail time.
“Not everything is going to be done perfectly, but we have got to take steps,” Stonecipher stated throughout the assembly. “We’ve got to stop preparing reports and doing nothing.”
Nearly 40 folks offered public remark, however solely a handful spoke in help of the proposals.
The public remark interval was adopted by almost two hours of council debate.
“This isn’t the one and only step we’re thinking about using,” stated Ward 1 Councilman Bradley Clark, who signed on in help of the proposals. “This is step one in accordance with all the other steps we’re putting in place.”
Other members of the council vehemently disagreed. Ward 6 Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon was among the many dissenters.
“It’s not going to be solved overnight, but neither is passing an ordinance like this,” Hamon stated, calling for ordinances’ rejection.
In the tip, the ordinances have been struck down. The movement to take action got here from Councilman Stonecipher.
“Today was a great exchange of ideas,” Stonecipher stated in an announcement Tuesday afternoon. “We are all working hard on resolving the homeless issue in Oklahoma City, but at this time we need to keep discussing these issues among council and staff. The good news is that we all agree our city is trying to do a better job of delivering services to those experiencing homelessness.”
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