AUSTIN — AUSTIN -- The Public Safety Commission debated on Monday if ordinances “primarily targeting homeless people” should be taken away.
The ordinances allow for those with the Austin Police Department to give homeless people tickets for panhandling, camping or living in public areas, or sitting or lying down in downtown Austin.
Marissa McGovern said she’s lived in Austin her whole life and works downtown. She said she’s noticed a spike in the homeless population in the recent years.
“Every day we're getting accosted, harassed by people trying to solicit money,” McGovern said. “And then when we say no, they get more aggressive, more physical, name calling, things like that, where it's kind of already not a very safe place to be.”
She said the ordinances allow her to call police to get help.
McGovern said she hopes they can find a better solution.
“I actually want to help work toward a solution that involves more beds for the homeless, more shelters,” McGovern said. “I don't think repealing these ordinances and letting people sleep on the sidewalks is really helpful to the community, it's not helpful to the homeless, and so I think they need to look into other solutions as opposed to just taking out the ordinances.”
The public safety commission voted and wants the city manager to get ideas from homeless and community members to see if the ordinances are making things better or worse for homeless people.
The commission is also asking city leaders to work to fund and expand community-based solutions so people facing homelessness can get connected to social services efficiently and effectively.