DeKalb County commissioners have approved a controversial ban on unauthorised camping on public property, making it a criminal offence to obstruct pavements or interfere with access to public spaces.
The ordinance was passed by a 5-2 vote on Tuesday night, October 27, after months of delays, legal review and debate. It was introduced by District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah.
Under the new rules, camping is prohibited where it blocks public property or prevents pedestrians from entering or leaving public areas. Officers must issue an official warning and offer access to support services before any arrest can be made.
People affected by the measure will then have 24 hours to remove their belongings from the area. County officials have yet to set out detailed written procedures for officers or explain where possessions would be stored during any clearance operation.
Supporters argue the DeKalb County camping ordinance is intended to protect public safety while ensuring people living outdoors are offered help. Ms Massiah pointed to busy routes such as Candler Road, where pedestrians have sometimes been forced into the road to get around obstructions.
“It actually provides protections for public access ways like Candler Road, where just a moment ago, there was a woman trying to walk down the sidewalk and had to step into the street to try to get past this right here,” she said.
Opponents say the policy risks criminalising homelessness without addressing the shortage of shelter and affordable housing. Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry, who voted against the ordinance, said it had been passed without adequate procedures for enforcement.
“We passed this law with no SOPs, with no procedures,” Mr Terry said. “The result will be that more folks are going to be arrested and put into the jail, and right now, that is not the place for them to be.”
Commissioner Michelle Long Spears also voted against the measure. Housing advocates, including Gregory White of A Home for Everyone in DeKalb, said enforcement would do little to resolve the causes of the crisis.
“This hurts poor people, so that’s why we were fighting against it,” Mr White said. “I didn’t see any solutions from the leaders, but I would just say we’re looking for solutions, so how do we help people that are actually experiencing this daily?”
Along Candler Road, Opal and George Thomas said they had repeatedly struggled to find assistance while living outside with their two dogs and personal belongings.
“It’s not easy to get help. It’s not. We haven’t been able to get any help,” the couple said.
After they were interviewed, a DeKalb County police officer and representatives from the county’s Community Development Department arrived to offer support.
The ordinance now goes to DeKalb County chief executive officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, who has executive authority over the legislation and can veto it.
