DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR) — City officials in Danville are getting ready for a meeting to discuss amending the city’s code of unpermitted camping. Staff wants council members to adopt an ordinance prohibiting camping on city properties, except in permitted camping areas.
According to the city of Danville, their staff members are responsible for keeping public streets and sidewalks free of potential hazards. Additionally, they say by allowing outdoor camping in unpermitted areas is creating a potential source of public property obstruction, misuse, and damage.
City Council is considering this ordinance after similar decisions from other local governments. That includes Roanoke and Bristol, which both passed ordinances earlier this year prohibiting camping on public property in unpermitted locations.
The ordinance would give police and other city staff the tools to prevent potential issues including damage to city property, obstructions, and any other dangerous conditions. It would also require any police officer enforcing the ordinance to provide information on available shelters and other assistance available to the person.
If the ordinance is passed this information would be printed out on ticket books and could easily be given out to help people in need find a safe place to go.
