The Burien City Council has passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting individuals from residing, sleeping, or having personal belongings on public property. This decision follows a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to restrict public sleeping.
Burien City Council has voted 5-2 to approve an emergency ordinance prohibiting individuals from residing, sleeping, or possessing personal belongings such as blankets on any public property at any time. This decision follows the Supreme Court's ruling in Grants Pass v. Johnson, which permits cities to restrict sleeping in public spaces. During the council meeting, one member acknowledged the complexity of the decision, stating, 'It’s just an outright prohibition.
Is it the best way? I have to leave my personal views aside. The question is, 'What does this council want, and what is the community asking for?' And it’s not just a subset of the community, but what is the greater or larger community asking for?' This ordinance is identical to one that King County deputies previously declined to enforce. The agency responded to the council's decision, stating, 'The King County Sheriff's Office is aware of a proposed ordinance before the Burien City Council tonight that seeks to amend select ordinance(s) pertaining to camping in public spaces and/or rights-of-way. It is our initial opinion that this ordinance, as written, is enforceable, as it no longer contains vague language found from the prior ordinances nor does it allow the city manager to rewrite the boundaries of the no-camping zones at any time without notice. That said, I am asking the men and women of the King County Sheriff’s Office to continue to lead, as they do each day, with outreach and compassion while continuing to engage with regional service providers whenever appropriate. We are aware of challenges to Burien’s anti-camping ordinance pending in state court and based on the Washington constitution. We will monitor the state court decisions and adjust our practices accordingly.' The agency also noted that they are aware of potential legal challenges to the ordinance in state court and will adjust their practices based on the outcome of those cases
PUBLIC CAMPING EMERGENCY ORDINANCE BURIEN CITY COUNCIL SUPREME COURT RULING KING COUNTY SHERIFF's OFFICE
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