Local leaders, advocates react to U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows public camping bans

LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Last Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of public camping bans, opening the door for local officials to create similar laws.

There are already bans in place in La Crosse like the one in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case. While some local leaders see the Supreme Court ruling as a helpful policy tool, others worry about its impact on the area's unsheltered community.

"I really do think Grants Pass will benefit the city of La Crosse," said Erin Goggin, city council member for District 2.

Goggin said the bans help keep the unsheltered community safe, but others see it differently.

"Now that there's a ban it's hard to find these people and get them resources," said Katlyn Becker, a member of the Total Navigation Team.

"So, it's almost taking away from people being able to get to the end result of being housed or getting the help that they need."

The Total Navigation Team is a group of different agencies that try and come together to find solutions and provide case management for people who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.

Other advocates said a decision like Grants Pass will only make it more difficult to help.

"Criminalizing homelessness is not going to get someone housed," Nancy Parcher, another member of the Total Navigation Team. "The first thing that landlords usually look at is criminal record and criminal past, so again, imposing fines is just counterproductive."

Right now, La Crosse's unsheltered community has few options for where to go.

"We have Salvation Army we also have the domestic abuse shelter New Horizons. Both of those are full to capacity almost always. If a room does become open, it's usually gone within the hour," Parcher said.

Advocates are hoping the city prioritizes policies outside of the bans going forward.

"We definitely need more shelter space in La Crosse," Parcher said.

Goggin, however, said the bans are immediate action the city can take.

"This is a complicated issue, but we need to start somewhere, and we need to draw the line somewhere."

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