ELMIRA, N.Y.— The Elmira City Council will vote Monday, Nov. 18, on a revised “camping” law that includes criminal penalties for illegal camping. The law aims to clear homeless encampments, with penalties ranging from fines of $350 to $500 or up to 90 days in jail, or both, for a first offense. A second violation within 18 months could result in fines of $750 to $1,000 and up to a year in prison. The law also allows the Elmira Police, Code, and Sanitation departments to remove campsites and personal property.

The council initially tabled the law in August after residents raised concerns about criminalizing homelessness. However, following recent fires at homeless encampments, Mayor Mandell pushed for the reintroduction of criminal penalties. The mayor, who now sits on a Chemung County Homeless Task Force, has said the city is addressing not homelessness itself, but behaviors such as crime, trash, and public sanitation issues.

Tara Escudero, a volunteer with Elmira Community Cycle, criticized the law, arguing it criminalizes homelessness instead of addressing underlying issues such as access to services like needle exchange programs and public restrooms. The city is also working with Catholic Charities, which opened a dormitory-style shelter for the homeless in May.

Source: WETM