By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The City of Parsons approved the first reading of a new ordinance that would ban camping within the City limits of Parsons in areas not designated as campgrounds.
The ordinance came about as a result of the need for clarification for Parsons Chief of Police Kevin Keplinger and his Department over what rules and penalties they were to enforce regarding recent vagrancy in the parks. The ordinance was drafted by City Attorney Tim Stranko and his staff.
“The staff has prepared this ordinance to provide the Chief and his Department with instructed certainty what to enforce and how to enforce it,” Stranko said.
The ordinance prohibits any camping on public areas and prohibits storage of personal belongings in public areas, as well. The ordinance lists the offense as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and prison not to exceed 30 days in jail, according to Stranko.
The ordinance does provide a provision that camping permits can be obtained from the City.
Stranko said he does not anticipate the maximum penalty being used. Rather, he hopes the threat of the maximum on a sign will act as a deterrent.
“Its not as if either the Chief or the City Manager are contemplating that kind of sanction, but it looks pretty good on a sign,” Stranko said. “So hopefully the prophylactic effect of that punishment will be helpful.”
Keplinger said he has had concern from the community about how this may affect them and visitors or children placing tents in their yards. Keplinger said the ordinance does not affect those kinds of instances. The ordinance is for public areas only and do not pertain to private property.
“This is not directed at kids who want to put up a pup tent in the side yard or the backyard of their home,” Keplinger said. “A family that comes in to visit grandma or granddad and brings an RV and they’re going to set it up for a couple of days in front of the house. This does not concern that.”
Keplinger said the ordinance is designed with common sense in mind and that the officers have discretion when it comes to enforcement.
“We can use common sense with this,” Keplinger said. “We’re not looking to enforce anything like that.”
Council Member Sam Humphrey voiced concern over the policy. Humphrey said that he felt that the City should not be running off travelers like motorcyclists who may be traveling with only a sleeping bag for the night.
Stranko said that carving out exemptions for the policy would be hard because of issues with equal protection of the law and possible constitutional challenges. Stranko said the matter needed to be an all or nothing proposal.
“The problem with that is you can’t just say homeless people can’t camp, but families can,” Stranko said. You can’t discriminate. Its all or nothing.”
The first reading was adopted under a motion made by Council Member Kathy DiBacco and seconded by Council Member Melissa Jones.
