Danville’s City Council voted 8-4 Tuesday to pass a controversial ordinance that criminalizes homelessness. The new ordinance allows law enforcement to forcibly remove, fine, or possibly incarcerate individuals found “camping” within city limits.
A motion to table the vote for 30 days failed, though a majority of alder persons voted in favor. There were only seven votes — one short of the required eight to pass a motion.
More than 10 people spoke during public comment against passing the ordinance.
Michael Ewing, director of Danville Rescue — one of only two homeless shelters in Danville — also spoke, asking the City and those gathered to give them more funding to serve the homeless in need. Ewing did not speak about the ordinance one way or the other.
Deputy Chief Terry McCord spoke in favor of the ordinance, saying the police offer plenty of support, including the DART program, to those who are unhoused. He emphasized that this is the only plausible way to enable law enforcement to clean up the encampments.
Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr. spoke against tabling the vote, saying the people who are currently camping simply do not want help — something Ewing agreed with, saying he and other staff members have “begged” some unhoused people to come to the shelter but they’ve refused.
Alderwoman Tricia Teague, who attended the meeting remotely, said there’s no way to be sure every single person living in encampments has been made aware of resources and refused them.
Teague also advised against voting for the ordinance now due to concerns over the influx of people seeking services. She advised tabling the vote to give social services more time to build an action plan and to give their input.
Alderwoman Carolyn Wands said the homelessness issue has been plaguing Danville for 30 years, and agreed that the people camping do not want help.
Mayor Williams was opposed to tabling the vote, saying no solution could be found in 30 days, and advised that unless someone is willing to welcome the unhoused to their own backyard, they should not be opposed to the ordinance.
Corporation Counsel Leon Parker commented on the issue, highlighting the word “mitigate” in the language around possible fines. He said the unhoused would not be immediately fined, but only if they didn’t clean up their encampment within 24 hours of being informed they needed to evacuate.
Williams said he had received calls and messages from several people who wanted to speak out in favor of the ordinance but were scared of being labeled bigots or heartless people.
More than one person in the audience shouted out during the meeting, including someone who stormed out in tears when the vote count was read.
This is a developing story. For the full story, read the Thursday edition of Commercial-News.