San Diego police officers are not expected to begin enforcing the new ban on homeless encampments narrowly approved by the city council this week right away.
The “Unsafe Camping Ordinance” . which still needs formal approval and then can go into effect 30 days after that, requires cops to cite or arrest people who camp on public property and refuse homeless shelters. The vote was very close, 5-4, and there has been furious debate on both sides of the issue.
And now there is talk that it may be months if not years before the new ordinance will go into effect. That’s because of talk that some of those opposed to it may fight it in court and begin a legal battle to stop it. Nothing official yet, but when there’s some talk there’s some possibilities the new law could be delayed for a while.
San Diego has had its share of legal battles over new laws and even voter approved measures that have ended up in court before over the years. Projects that are delayed, such as the construction of Petco Park, and projects that never happen, such as the expansion of the convention center.
So there is certainly a chance that it could take a while before arrests at homeless encampments start happening.
And of course that could mean San Diego’s most pressing public health and humanitarians problem may linger.
(Photo Getty Images)