Duluth City Council Passes Amended Public Camping Ordinance

DULUTH, Minn. — After 7 hours of deliberation at Monday night’s City Council meeting, a verdict was reached. Councilors passed a measure extending the ban on outdoor camping to include all city properties. They did however amend this ordinance reducing the penalty from a misdemeanor to a fine.

“The garbage, the drug use, the drinking are an insult to all of us as citizens,” said Eddie Gleeson, who spoke in favor for the ordinances. “At the same time, I recognize that this country needs a marginal plan for the homeless, and for mental health. And we can point the fingers everywhere, but they call come right back to us.”

Strong emotions pouring out amid the public comment section of Duluth City Council’s meeting. Dozens of people sounding off on Mayor Roger Reinert’s proposed public safety ordinances.

The ordinance package proposed for public health and safety concerns cracks down on non-violent crime. Regarding burning, graffiti, property damage and camping in public areas. As of now these behaviors have only required a fine.

Mayor Reinert has said that by raising these charges to a misdemeanor repeated offenders will be better connected with the necessary resources through the court system. But many who opposed the proposed amendments say that they criminalize homelessness and look to restrict people’s right to protest especially on city property.

“In their language and their existence, the proposed ordinances/city’s solutions are the least charitable, low hanging fruit version of the problem,” said Hannah Montoya, who spoke against the ordinances. “From my side of defense, it looks like all public appointed officials who are pro-ordinance are just fronting. It’s fronting and putting on a show, because voting for these ordinances do not actually address the reality of the situation. The reality being that Duluth’s issues are systemic and need proper funding.”

But several businesses and community members favor the updated verbiage. Many voiced that through misdemeanor charges rehabilitation and access to specialized care is possible.

“Although we do our best to help, sending someone to the ER in the midst of a mental health or substance use crisis, without some kind of long-term support or treatment is like putting a Band-Aid over a gaping wound,” said Lisa Cuttle, who spoke in favor for the ordinances. “Additionally, our emergency departments in the city, like so many across the country, are constantly boarding people for hours or days waiting to try to get them somewhere, getting them somewhere where they can obtain help. We need more ways to help people before they end up in crisis which is far more resource intensive than outpatient mental health programs. Allowing misdemeanor charge for some of the disruptive public behaviors associated with substance use issues and crisis gives the community members a tool for more longitude interventions. Which are far more likely to be successful than just sobering up in the ER. And then leaving without getting the real treatment these individuals need.”

The proposed ordinances that did pass will allow for penalties of up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine. Camping on city grounds will only require a fine. One ordinance from this package, to modify language for false soliciting was tabled.