Fargo city leaders discuss homelessness, one step closer to camping ordinance

FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - Fargo city leaders continued their conversation on solving its homelessness problem by approving the first reading of their ordinance regarding camping on public property.

On Monday, August 19, city commissioners unanimously voted to approve the first reading of the ordinance that can potentially ban any camping within 30 feet of bike trails and 100 feet of infrastructure, including bridges.

Several community members attended the meeting tonight in opposition of the ordinance, saying the city would be criminalizing anyone who might violate this ban, making the issue worse.

Allison Slavik, of Fargo, said, “These are peoples’ lives we are discussing here. A complete ban of camping will not help anyone who’s experiencing homelessness, it will only deepen their struggle and make it harder for them to succeed.”

Another Fargo resident spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting and touched on homelessness and crime. He mentioned the homeless man who was recently arrested for stabbing two people, and injuring another, during the downtown Fargo PRIDE parade last week. He said the City of Fargo isn’t looking at the big picture.

“He shouldn’t have been there. Why was he on the street at all? We seem to be lumping all of these problems under the umbrella of homelessness, but isn’t this more of a governmental failure?” said Ben Myhre.

A Fargo social worker explained clearing or moving these camps would not be a long-term strategy. She, instead, asked commissioners to look for other possible solutions.

Kim Seeb said, “Sweeping the camps is not a solution. Short term, yes, it will make the paths seem a little safer, but it won’t eliminate the need for those people needing to be somewhere.”

At the end of the discussion, City Commissioner, John Strand, thanked the community for their participation, and requests more comments within the next couple of weeks.

The first reading of the ordinance was approved tonight, and the second reading will be during the next commission meeting on September 2.

To provide comments on these guidelines, visit the link here.