FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- The Fort Worth City Council approved an ordinance change that makes it easier for police and code compliance officers to limit unauthorized camping on private property.Communications will place all unauthorized camping complaints that come through 911 or the non-emergency number on a “hot list” to be directed to The Homeless Outreach Program Enforcement (HOPE) Unit. The Hope Unit provides a more compassionate solution to dealing with the homeless, quality of life complaints, and to decrease violent crime in the Near East by providing an increased patrol presence.
The primary mission of the HOPE Unit is to build a rapport within the homeless community, maintain a positive police impact by way of service connections, and instill a sense of self-worth in those considered chronically homeless. The HOPE Unit and the appropriate Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO), will work together to resolve the issue by offering services and alternative options for those individuals.
HOPE will first attempt to identify the property owner and will work with the NPO for that specific location to organize a police response to the complaint. Next, HOPE officers will visit campsite to:
• Determine how large the camp is and what needs may require an outreach group to respond; and
• Provide a verbal warning to the campers that they can no longer stay on the property and give the date and time that police officers will return with Code Compliance for clean-up, if required. This allows for advanced notice to vacate and provides outreach groups time to respond.
• An exception is if the property owner is present or calls to have the campers removed, then officers will request that the campers vacate immediately. In this situation, if the officer asks the campers to leave voluntarily and they do not, the officer has the authority to remove the campers immediately based on the unauthorized camping ordinance and criminal trespass statute.
• Whenever Code Compliance responds to a campsite for clean-up, it is important that the Code Compliance officers are accompanied to the site by the NPO for security. The NPO needs to stay on site until Code Compliance is finished cleaning the site. To ensure repeat clean-ups will not be necessary, NPOs shall follow-up on the location on a regular basis.
A new General Order is being developed to address the guidelines brought about by this new ordinance. With the exception of the property owner’s request, the proposed General Order will direct that no police officer shall issue a citation, make an arrest, or otherwise enforce the ordinance against any person unless:
• The officer verbally requests or orders the person to refrain from the alleged violation, and
• The officer provides a reasonable time for the person to comply with the request or order, and
• The officer attempts to ascertain whether the person is in need of emergency medical treatment (including emergency mental health treatment) or social services (including temporary shelter or drug or alcohol rehabilitation).
