UPDATE NOV. 10: The homeless ordinance takes effect today, though police say they will not enforce the law until next year. Under the ordinance, anyone caught sleeping in the street can be fined $1,000 and spend 6 months in jail.
RELATED STORIES:
UPDATE 6 P.M. NOV. 6: Las Vegas City Council passed the homeless ordinance with a 5-2 vote on Wednesday.
Councilpersons Brian Knudsen and Olivia Diaz voted against it. Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Mayor Pro Tem Michele Fiore, along with councilpersons Victoria Seaman, Stavros Anthony and Cedric Crear all voted in favor. READ MORE
Councilman Crear during his statement says he favors the proposed ordinance. @KTNV
— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKTNV) November 7, 2019
Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Fiore voices support for ordinance as well and says it’s about health and safety of the community. @KTNV
— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKTNV) November 7, 2019
Councilmember Diaz voices that she will vote no. @KTNV
— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKTNV) November 7, 2019
Mayor Goodman says the ordinance is a step in a complicated issue. After someone spoke out the Mayor threw them out of the council chambers. @KTNV
— Jeremy Chen (@JeremyChenKTNV) November 7, 2019
Watch the city council meeting below:
UDATE NOV. 6: The City Council meeting is underway, but things have gotten off to a rocky start.
HAPPENING NOW: Dozens of protestors have flooded Las Vegas City Hall in opposition to a bill up for vote that would criminalize sitting, sleeping, or camping in public right-of-ways in city limits if a bed is available at a homeless shelter.
Meeting begins at 9:00 pic.twitter.com/11DpOpK0WN
— @SeanKTNV (@seanktnv) November 6, 2019
Dozens of protesters gathered before the meeting at 9 a.m. in front of city hall to make their voices heard. They also began chanting once inside city hall.
The bill would make it illegal to sit, sleep, or camp on public right-of-ways or near loading docks if there are open beds at area homeless shelters.
Protesters said the bill criminalized homelessness and would make issues homeless people struggle with worse.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman said the bill was designed to connect homeless people with necessary resources in getting long term housing and address sanitation and safety issues on Las Vegas' streets.
Protestors chant as the Las Vegas City Council reconvenes.
— @SeanKTNV (@seanktnv) November 6, 2019
They will soon consider a bill that would criminalize sitting, sleeping, or camping in public right-of-ways if there’s an open bed available at a homeless shelter. pic.twitter.com/thOdWfabTf
ORIGINAL STORY
The Las Vegas City Council is set to debate a controversial proposal on Wednesday that aims to remove homeless people from the streets.
If passed, the ordinance would make it illegal to camp, sit or sleep on the street or sidewalk when beds are available at homeless shelters.
The city says the ordinance is designed to solve sanitation issues and direct homeless people to helpful resources.
The ordinance has sparked local protests by opponents and has gained national attention, with some 2020 presidential candidates weighing in on the issue.
RELATED:
