Fall River to begin fining people for homelessness

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Fall River has officially passed an ordinance which would penalize people experiencing homelessness.

The ordinance focuses on encampments within Fall River, stating no one can camp, occupy a campsite or leave belongings behind on public property.

The ordinance also states, anyone sleeping on public property, even if they don’t have belongings with them, will also be breaking the law.

It allows police to quote, “remove and destroy” personal property left in encampments.

Before its passage, residents made their voices heard on the proposed measure, with an overwhelming amount of residents against it.

Anyone found in violation of the ordinance now faces a $100 fine for the first violation.

Each violation counts as a separate offense and an additional hundred dollars will be tacked on to the initial fine.

According to the city, the fine would not be imposed if the person is homeless, a homeless shelter is not available, meaning beds are at full capacity, and the person is willing to go to a homeless shelter.

The sheriff of Bristol County also spoke out against the ordinance Tuesday night.

This latest homeless encampment ban comes after another one was passed in Cranston back in August.

The ordinance also comes after the Supreme Court overturned lower court rulings that deemed it cruel and unusual to punish people for sleeping outside if they had nowhere else to go.

The ruling only changes current law in California and eight other western states, but it also makes it possible to change homelessness policy in cities around the country.

Kristina Carretero contributed to this story.