Read more: Local, Community, Politics, Colorado Springs, Homeless, Ordinance, Homeless Camps
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- In recent months it's become hard to ignore the increasing amount of homeless people in Colorado Springs as more tent camps pop up throughout the city.
An ordinance proposed to city council on Monday attempted to deal with the issue by preventing any camping within the city limits and re-enforcing the "no camping within the parks" policy.
Chief of Police Richard Myers presented the ordinance at the request of city council and urgings by business owners and homeowners in the area about the diminished quality of life the camps have led to.
"We have life safety concerns. Camping in the sub-zero temperatures we're having is a public health risk. Today, just this morning, one of the tents caught fire while occupied," explained Myers.
Myers introduced the ordinance as just a draft meant to start discussion. And start discussion it did.
"Those conditions are going to exist whether you live in a home or a tent," said Vice Mayor Larry Small. "We're seeing deaths in single family homes because people are trying to find alternative ways to heat their home."
"I look at this ordinance and it makes being homeless criminal," said council member Tom Gallagher.
The audience peppered with homeless campers applauded after Gallagher asked, "Could something in the nature of 17 percent national unemployment or 10 million home foreclosures this year possibly be a contributor?"
Small said he agreed with Gallagher and couldn't support an ordinance that would kick hundreds of homeless people off city land without giving them a place to go. "This is not a good time to consider that kind of ordinance. Life is pretty tough for people right now," said Small.
Without money to buy or build the necessary facilities to house or shelter the homeless population, the possibility of creating a zoning area where campers would be allowed came up in the discussion.
Some of the homeless campers who attended the meeting said they were pleased with how it went. "I was worried where we were going to go," admitted Charles Murray, who's been homeless for three years.
"I think it's great. This is something we've been fighting for a year and a half to do what we're doing now without them taking everything we own. Which would have sent us back in time," said Larry "K.C." Vestal.
Though council member Sean Paige emphasized the importance of showing compassion in this matter, he also pointed out compassion is also due to the homeowners and business owners in the area.
The police department will take Monday's feedback and collaborate with several organizations that work with the homeless community to present another draft the first week of February.
