(Brownsville isn't the only city across the country to deal with a growing homeless population that includes individuals in a personal crisis like divorce, mental illness, or addictions. In Idaho, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that the city could not prosecute homeless using its anti-camping laws. The city appealed to the Supreme Court and the decision - which now only applies to the western states - could potentially affect our situation here.)
By Boise State Public RadioThe 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last year declared Boise Idaho's anti-camping ordinance unconstitutional and considered it cruel and unusual punishment.
https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2018/09/04/15-35845.pdf
Boise’s ordinance bars anyone from sleeping outside in public places – unless all of the city’s homeless shelters are full. The case has been ongoing since 2009.
The most recent 9th Circuit ruling found one of the shelters temporarily banned people from staying there if they didn’t attend religious classes. City officials tried to get the case heard by the entire court, but that appeal was rejected this spring.
In the city’s complaint to the Supreme Court, it says creating a constitutional right to live on sidewalks and in parks would “cripple” the ability for cities to “maintain the health and safety of their communities.”
“Public encampments, now protected by the Constitution under the Ninth Circuit’s decision, have spawned crime and violence, incubated disease, and created environmental hazards that threaten the lives and well-being both of those living on the streets and the public at large,” they wrote.
Boise Police issued 30 tickets to people who violated the ordinance last year.
The city has recently backed two projects to provide more stable housing for those experiencing homelessness here.
New Path Community Housing opened its 41-unit complex last year, while a 26-unit complex specifically built for homeless veterans is expected to open in 2020. But it estimates there are still between 120-140 chronically homeless families and individuals in Boise.
(Ed.'s Note: A friend of the court brief was filed last week on behalf of the California State Association of Counties and a coalition of 33 California cities and counties. The coalition includes the counties of Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Orange, Riverside, San Joaquin, Fresno, Sutter and Del Norte; and the cities of Sacramento, Covina, Fullerton, Glendora, Laguna Beach, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Salinas, Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Whittier.)
Boise’s ordinance bars anyone from sleeping outside in public places – unless all of the city’s homeless shelters are full. The case has been ongoing since 2009.
The most recent 9th Circuit ruling found one of the shelters temporarily banned people from staying there if they didn’t attend religious classes. City officials tried to get the case heard by the entire court, but that appeal was rejected this spring.
In the city’s complaint to the Supreme Court, it says creating a constitutional right to live on sidewalks and in parks would “cripple” the ability for cities to “maintain the health and safety of their communities.”
“Public encampments, now protected by the Constitution under the Ninth Circuit’s decision, have spawned crime and violence, incubated disease, and created environmental hazards that threaten the lives and well-being both of those living on the streets and the public at large,” they wrote.
Boise Police issued 30 tickets to people who violated the ordinance last year.
The city has recently backed two projects to provide more stable housing for those experiencing homelessness here.
New Path Community Housing opened its 41-unit complex last year, while a 26-unit complex specifically built for homeless veterans is expected to open in 2020. But it estimates there are still between 120-140 chronically homeless families and individuals in Boise.
(Ed.'s Note: A friend of the court brief was filed last week on behalf of the California State Association of Counties and a coalition of 33 California cities and counties. The coalition includes the counties of Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Orange, Riverside, San Joaquin, Fresno, Sutter and Del Norte; and the cities of Sacramento, Covina, Fullerton, Glendora, Laguna Beach, Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, Salinas, Ventura, Thousand Oaks and Whittier.)
4 comments:
When your brother in law is a cop is your DWI arrest buried before booking?
There is no Bosie, Idaho. But Boise, Idaho exists and it has plenty of medians. LOL
So bums and beggers living on the street is now camping? Who would have thunk it?
Lol so much that Trey wants to make downtown a mini 6th street is also going to bring in more homeless because its gonna be like the real thing!! way to go!!!
Post a Comment