San Diego City Council passes controversial homeless camping ban.
The San Diego City Council has passed a controversial policy to ban homeless encampments on public property, with a 5-4 vote. The ordinance would prohibit encampments on public property, and people could be cited or arrested if they refuse an available shelter bed. The ordinance was written to be in accord with a federal court ruling in Martin v. Boise that prohibits a person from being cited for sleeping outside if no shelter beds are available. However, encampments would be banned in many areas because of public safety concerns, even if no shelter beds are available.