BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — The Bismarck City Commission will be holding a public hearing on October 8, to consider a new ordinance that would prohibit camping on public right-of-ways, in front of buildings, and in city parks.

Bismarck City Attorney Jannelle Combs says the proposed ordinance is not meant to criminalize homelessness, and will not make it illegal to sleep in public places — however, she says the city has to have the authority to enforce these types of ordinances.

“This is a prohibitive camping ordinance,” she explains, “and it originates from Grants Pass, Oregon. They were also dealing with encampments by people having their personal property on the right-of-way.”

According to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), over 1,300 homeless people are living in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Many of them have nowhere to go with their belongings, and often find themselves seeking refuge in public places throughout the city — including parks, sidewalks, and public benches.

“We also know that much of the public is very frustrated with some people taking up the right-of-way with all their stuff and not being able to traverse,” Combs notes. Downtown is a good example, but we are seeing it throughout the town.”

Combs says the city wants to look out for the health and safety of all citizens. “We’ve also had instances where homeless individuals have been found trespassing or camping somewhere, and they are urinating and defecating in blankets, and Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health is concerned about those types of things,” said Combs.

Tiffany Schrenk, who lives in an apartment in Downtown Bismarck, says she is not against the city looking out for the safety and well-being of the city’s citizens — also but wants the area to do more to address what she views as an affordable housing problem.

“There are good people out there that have just really bad luck,” she explains. “They have stories, and I know that because I live downtown.”

Shrenk says there are pros and cons on both sides of the issue that is leading the city to consider the new prohibitive camping ordinance. While she feels the city needs to consider the challenges facing Bismarck’s homeless population, she says some people do not respect others while camping out downtown.

“There are people that really just cause a lot of trouble for other people and harass them,” she concludes, “and that’s just not ok.”

The Bismarck City Commission wants to hear from citizens about the proposed ordinance before voting on it at their next meeting on October 8.

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