By Molly Balison
On June 24, Boise Police Chief Christopher Dennison proposed an enforcement plan for SB 1141 to the City Council. The legislation, taking effect July 1, bans prolonged camping on public property, buildings, and roadways in cities with a population of 100,000 or more in the state of Idaho—Boise, Meridian, and Nampa.
According to the Senate Affairs Committee, “‘Public camping or sleeping’ means lodging or residing in a temporary outdoor habitation used as a dwelling, lodging, or living space, which includes sitting, lying, or sleeping for a prolonged amount of time, and may be evidenced by the erection of a tent or other temporary shelter, including a motor vehicle…”
The bill states that overnight recreational or educational camping within a designated property will not be affected by this law.
Chief Dennison recommended issuing a $10 fine and letting officers use their discretion when issuing a fine to a citizen found camping in a public space. Dennison said that in the last three years, 74 tickets have been written up for individuals occupying public space when there is room at a shelter. Now, infractions will be issued regardless of shelter availability.
Folks who are displaced don’t have to fear being arrested and doing jail time if found camping in public. Although a fine is not easy for someone who is barely scraping by to pay, it is better than obtaining a misdemeanor, which stays on an individual’s record.
“It felt so reasonable, and it was relieving to know that a fine is much different than a misdemeanor when it comes to creating more barriers for the people that we’re working with,” Jodi Peterson-Stigers, Interfaith Sanctuary’s executive director, said.
Interfaith Sanctuary’s beds are full every single night, so when an unhoused individual can’t find shelter, they are at risk of deteriorating health and well-being due to lack of rest, nutrition, and stability. The hope is that providing safe shelter will minimize survival crimes for the most vulnerable population. Interfaith’s conditional use permit for their new 24/7 access shelter home on State Street will be heard on July 7 to determine how the nonprofit can proceed to meet the needs of the homeless community.
“My hope is that we raise up more solutions that are more permanent, that are not punitive, but supportive,” Peterson-Stigers said.
In light of this law, the question remains: When people have nowhere to go, what should they do?
“Boiseans have made it clear that there’s so much more than ticketing that needs to be addressed and provided to ensure that we continue to not have the issues we’ve seen in other cities,” Mayor Lauren McLean said in the City Council public meeting. “I am without doubt that our residents understand that this is not the solution. The solution is to look at long-term solutions, look at housing and all the other pieces of investing in a city and a neighborhood and people—that we continue to do.”
With the approval of the new enforcement plan, the city of Boise moves toward a more resource-oriented approach to avoid criminalizing homelessness.