{"id":2090,"date":"2015-09-22T17:01:03","date_gmt":"2015-09-22T17:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/?p=2090"},"modified":"2015-09-22T17:01:03","modified_gmt":"2015-09-22T17:01:03","slug":"vancouver-washington-makes-it-official-its-legal-to-sleep-at-night-even-if-youre-homeless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/vancouver-washington-makes-it-official-its-legal-to-sleep-at-night-even-if-youre-homeless\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver Washington makes it Official: It&#8217;s Legal to Sleep at Night Even If You&#8217;re Homeless!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div dir=\"ltr\">NOTES BY NORSE:\u00a0\u00a0 While Vancouver, Washington&#8217;s City Council acknowledges reality and votes officially to decriminalize sleeping at night singly or in camps for homeless folks there, Santa Cruz continues to stonewall and continue police harassment of the poor outside.\u00a0 Eugene, OR and other cities in the 9th Circuit (which includes California and Santa Cruz) have responded to the powerful DOJ &#8220;harassing homeless people who sleep at night when there is no shelter is cruel and unusual punishment&#8221; Statement of Interest in the Bell v. Boise case.\u00a0 Santa Cruz, in the decades long grip of hardened staff attitudes determined to sweep out of sight (if not out of town) homeless people, simply shuts down services, increases anti-homeless ordinances (anti-RV ordinances are in the works), and cracks down on protesters.<br \/>\nA recent reply from the most powerful official in Santa Cruz, Martin Bernal underlines the refusal to even allow peaceful protest at City Hall around our Sleeping Ban, even if the participants are awake, have no bedding, and are simply carrying a sign.\u00a0 Multiple citations under the anti-homeless &#8220;Park&#8221; closing law (misapplied to City Hall) MC 13.04.011 provides $198 penalty for being at City hall after <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008544\"><span class=\"aQJ\">10 PM<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0 See &#8220;<strong>Silence from the City Manager on the Eve of the 11th Freedom Sleepers Protest<\/strong>&#8221; at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indybay.org\/newsitems\/2015\/09\/22\/18777951.php\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.indybay.org\/<wbr \/>newsitems\/2015\/09\/22\/18777951.<wbr \/>php<\/a> .\u00a0 I encourage folks in Santa Cruz to show up at the <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008545\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Tuesday<\/span><\/span> night protests, if only to observe.\u00a0 I encourage folks from other cities to set up their own Freedom Sleeper protests to publicize and give force to the Department of Justice ruling.<\/p>\n<div>\n<h1>Vancouver officials tour growing tent city<\/h1>\n<h2>As city council reaffirms vote to amend camping ordinance, offers of help to find solutions stream in<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; min-height: 527px;\">\n<ul style=\"width: 1200%; margin-left: 0px;\">\n<li style=\"width: 741px; float: left;\">\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_02.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"> <img class=\"CToWUd\" src=\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/proxy\/vSbRYs3xbiA4g8c3MkV1OhfUSnn8v0enUnRYjsBLCx3uIwNccvr3_LZj0WjAzNtzZf8aUQ8dBoQfg8x5wQ3GCYE49ks-BayeVAQwSlyH0BqAYSAVMTB7WqgMvjXwlCK8C0teoQtv4kc=s0-d-e1-ft#http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_02-770x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/> <\/a>A man sits along the side of West 12th Street in downtown Vancouver that is lined with homeless camps <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008546\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Monday<\/span><\/span> afternoon, Sept. 21, 2015. (Amanda Cowan\/The Columbian)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"width: 741px; float: left;\">\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_01.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"> <img class=\"CToWUd\" src=\"https:\/\/ci4.googleusercontent.com\/proxy\/1e4v53oKcTCtaVuk7DRpLmdhjYBVdvjn0Fk6tVwS--dGNU_yzubJBloPWR8iJ4kW7i5u2eT0LTJie3Xc8wH7JRq082JZzoXKslV0zDUk0RAe-gpCabDLzftK6bt6zRzDpwQJ5oF_LxY=s0-d-e1-ft#http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_01-770x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/> <\/a>Commander Amy Foster, left, joins elected officials and others as they tour an area of downtown Vancouver facing issues with homelessness as a man sleeps on the ground nearby <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008547\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Monday<\/span><\/span> afternoon, Sept. 21, 2015. (Amanda Cowan\/The Columbian)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"width: 741px; float: left;\">\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_07.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"> <img class=\"CToWUd\" src=\"https:\/\/ci5.googleusercontent.com\/proxy\/cjG9TnlmhPxYv84WNGbv25YpeiD9Q6fwBEeyXs9FV6C7DZFk7jS4EhG9lywnHuXHSohcky8vlmO0VlRhmdLzjJrJhXvnRfIYUd9JkKUZl6hEcQHB0nTxC_s_RX86BVgMTH6V2N4Ll6c=s0-d-e1-ft#http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_07-770x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/> <\/a>Mayor Tim Leavitt, right, walks along West 12th Street while talking with those dealing with homelessness <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008548\"><span class=\"aQJ\">on Monday<\/span><\/span> afternoon, Sept. 21, 2015. (Amanda Cowan\/The Columbian)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"width: 741px; float: left;\">\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_06.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"> <img class=\"CToWUd\" src=\"https:\/\/ci4.googleusercontent.com\/proxy\/KL5ubAVZLwWUnU3pNE5Gi_TMpSnT81kKln6fXaTuu96CT59QteRp_-sta6XWOUCFEk2kVfwJ9KZBcNLcsmngWh4LlST2mg1NXaUA1wJHIqjambr7DnOcQODqY2gU1_pzJwrhg-1sLfk=s0-d-e1-ft#http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_06-770x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/> <\/a>A homeless woman rests quietly in a trailer located in downtown Vancouver <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008549\"><span class=\"aQJ\">on Monday<\/span><\/span> afternoon, Sept. 21, 2015. (Amanda Cowan\/The Columbian)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"width: 741px; float: left;\">\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_08.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"> <img class=\"CToWUd\" src=\"https:\/\/ci4.googleusercontent.com\/proxy\/PylFl9IJnZzUK-sybuHD-ngjwyKW3tRvPYyVJEJbJeVYWRv_gsgeTznGqTo_PQ6psLdeKYN2n2uz6_lLfJxr0f5VaCkTvQFgUFcd7l25qNy8ALwwSXTpSNB_1yvonfGXeCrJiRR-L9o=s0-d-e1-ft#http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_08-770x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/> <\/a>Commander Amy Foster, right, chats with a woman who camps in downtown Vancouver as she tours the area with elected officials <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008550\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Monday<\/span><\/span> afternoon, Sept. 21, 2015.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"width: 741px; float: left;\">\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_09.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"> <img class=\"CToWUd\" src=\"https:\/\/ci4.googleusercontent.com\/proxy\/TQb5WVwSmbX1Cv0bSa9csGXKvJ8S0xgwHQuJZY6FYzCvD-Lv70fdr1j5rUbvlcKwxnudUxH508RsrI3NhsmdsCrNm7FatRAL89JH7wSiD-hab_y3CrELbCv5lkaxJHNkr5sdDUT0j2A=s0-d-e1-ft#http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/camping_09-770x0-c-default.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/> <\/a>City Councilor Alishia Topper, center, talks with Calvin Chastang, who camps in downtown Vancouver, as tents lie underneath a hanging branch, upper left, <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008551\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Monday<\/span><\/span> afternoon, Sept. 21, 2015. (Amanda Cowan\/The Columbian)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>By <a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbian.com\/author\/afischer\" target=\"_blank\">Amy Fischer<\/a>, Columbian City Government Reporter<br \/>\nPublished: September 21, 2015, 9:33 PM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Representatives of Vancouver\u2019s business community, downtown and neighborhoods offered the city council their help <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008552\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Monday<\/span><\/span> in finding solutions to the<\/p>\n<p>city\u2019s homeless problem \u2014 and as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLeaving people to the streets is not our final option here,\u201d said John McKibbon, speaking on behalf of Identity Clark County, a nonprofit business advocacy group, during the council\u2019s public hearing. \u201cWe do want to be involved, and we do want to help.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A growing tent city in the west end of downtown has added to the collective sense of urgency in creating additional shelter space, sanitary facilities and services for the homeless, especially now that police stopped enforcing a city ban against overnight camping earlier this month. The city council is holding a workshop <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008553\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Oct. 5<\/span><\/span> to discuss progress it\u2019s making with community partners on the issue.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008554\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Monday<\/span><\/span>, the council reaffirmed its Sept. 14 vote to amend Vancouver\u2019s unlawful camping ordinance to allow camping in public places from 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Such overnight camping previously had been a misdemeanor. The change wouldn\u2019t affect park hours (parks close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) or laws prohibiting disorderly conduct, drinking in public, urinating in public and other health and safety issues.<\/p>\n<p>The city\u2019s legal staff recommended the change in response to a federal Department of Justice opinion issued <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008557\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Aug. 8<\/span><\/span> on a case pending in federal court in Boise, Idaho. The opinion states that outlawing camping in all places and all times, including when shelter space is unavailable, is cruel and unusual punishment and therefore unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<p>During the public hearing <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008558\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Monday<\/span><\/span> evening, Richard Bryleu told the council that police should show up at the homeless camp surrounding his property in the Esther Short neighborhood at <span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008559\"><span class=\"aQJ\">6:30 a.m.<\/span><\/span> to encourage people to pack up and move along.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt should not be an easy life,\u201d Bryleu said. \u201c\u2018Oh boy, I can go into Share House, I can get free food, I can hang out with my friends and my enemies.&#8217;\u201d<br \/>\nBut, he said, \u201cit\u2019s never going to go away. I know that. Not completely.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As of January, there were 662 homeless people in Clark County, of which 208 weren\u2019t sheltered, according to the annual Point-in-Time Count, an unscientific census of homeless people that\u2019s taken on a single day. In the last two years, 6,516 people sought emergency shelter in Vancouver, of which, 82 percent were turned away because of a lack of shelter space, City Attorney Bronson Potter said, citing statistics from the Council for the Homeless.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"aBn\" tabindex=\"0\" data-term=\"goog_52008560\"><span class=\"aQJ\">Monday<\/span><\/span> afternoon, Vancouver city leaders got a close-up view of the situation as they walked the blocks around the Share House shelter, 1115 W. 13th St. Accompanied by police, Mayor Tim Leavitt, Councilor Alishia Topper and City Manager Eric Holmes observed dozens of tents, tarps and bicycles lining the sidewalks and fences on West 12th and 13th streets, Lincoln Avenue, Jefferson Street and King Street. People milled around. Trash blew through the gutters.<br \/>\n\u201cIt\u2019s as bad as it\u2019s been in years,\u201d observed Vancouver Police Department Cmdr. Amy Foster.<\/p>\n<p>Holmes, who drives through the area several times a week, agreed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThree months ago, it was different. Three weeks ago, it was different,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Troy Johns, owner of Urban NW Homes, said transients frequently defecate on the doorstep of his West 13th Street office building, shower with the building\u2019s outdoor faucets and throw their garbage next to the trash cans he\u2019d set out. Johns pointed to the cars parked along the street that hadn\u2019t moved in months. People were living in them, he said.<\/p>\n<p>Foster said it wasn\u2019t supposed to be that way. Under city ordinance, vehicles can\u2019t park in one spot for more than 24 hours or they can be tagged and towed, she said. But they have nowhere to go, and forcing them to move just transfers the problem from one spot to another, Holmes said.<\/p>\n<p>Topper stopped to talk to Calvin Chastang, who lives in a tent on 12th Street. She asked him, what was the solution to the homeless problem?<br \/>\n\u201cGive everybody a million dollars,\u201d he said, bursting into laughter.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is no solution,\u201d said Chastang, 52. \u201cSome of them want to be here. Some of them get stuck. \u2026 Once you get there, it\u2019s hard to get out.\u201d<br \/>\nLeavitt wondered where all the people were coming from, and why they were showing up there.<\/p>\n<p>Foster said it was likely they\u2019d already been living in Vancouver, but in hidden spots. For instance, there had been a large camp along the riverfront until construction on the downtown waterfront project began this year. Now they were coming out into the open, she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s going to take everyone to come together and find a good solution,\u201d Topper said.<\/p>\n<p>Leavitt said until the city and its partners get a day shelter established where people can shower, the city should set up expectations that the homeless pick up after themselves. Residents of the Hough neighborhood just a few blocks a way had been cleaning up the trash. Johns said he\u2019d certainly collected his fair share of it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSeeing what\u2019s going on out here really puts an impetus on the community to figure out an alternative,\u201d Leavitt said. \u201cWe obviously cannot continue to allow this to grow on our streets of West Vancouver.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; NOTES BY NORSE:\u00a0\u00a0 While Vancouver, Washington&#8217;s City Council acknowledges reality and votes officially to decriminalize sleeping at night singly or in camps for homeless folks there, Santa Cruz continues to stonewall and continue police harassment of the poor outside.\u00a0 &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/vancouver-washington-makes-it-official-its-legal-to-sleep-at-night-even-if-youre-homeless\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[4,107],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2090"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2091,"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090\/revisions\/2091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2090"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2090"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/huffsantacruz.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2090"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}