Proposed anti-crime bill looks to ban homeless camps on streets

Lexington, Ky (WTVQ): Kentucky lawmakers looking to create stricter rules regarding homeless camps.
it’s a part of the Safer Kentucky Act, where legislators are proposing to ban street camping throughout the Commonwealth.

Republican Representative Jared Bauman is the lead sponsor to the soon-to-be bill, “it’s just going to be illegal to camp in front of a business on private property or in a public space that is generally used for public use,” said Bauman.

Ginny Ramsey is the Co-founder of the Catholic Action Center, in Lexington “we already have enough laws in place. People can’t camp in many places in Lexington. I mean it’s already there,” said Ramsey. According to the proposed bill, folks would be guilty of unlawful camping if they enter, or remain on public or private property with the intention of sleeping, even if they’re resting in their car.

“There aren’t enough shelter beds for all the folks. Our Salvation Army’s been full. We have over 700 children in our Fayette County Public Schools they are unhoused. It just doesn’t make sense,” Ramsey said.

The first time a person refuses to leave they will be charged with a class B misdemeanor, that can lead to fines or jail time. Ramsey created the center to provide resources for those in need.

“We have a lot of mental illness we have a lot of PTSD. We have a lot of challenges for people to be in congregant settings. But many people who camp are camping because their hiding. Whether it be the families that are afraid that their children could be taken away from them because they don’t have stable housing,” Ramsey said.

Bauman says this bill is not meant to solve the homeless crisis. Nor is it illegal to be homeless in Kentucky.

“The provision is to protect the rights of business owners, of property owners and the general public. We definitely want to help with the homeless crisis but that’s a separate bill,” he said.
Ramsey says homelessness is a community problem, “and when we all work together there can be solutions that are caring, compassionate, and fit with the soul of our state,” said Ramsey.

Bauman says the bill will be filed sometime next week.