Local Authority Voice out on Safer Kentucky Act Impacts on the Homeless
The freshly imposed Safer Kentucky Act has gotten folks talking, particularly about how it might affect the homeless. Well, local law enforcement in Bowling Green, KY have been speaking up about it.
For folks who’ve been sleeping under the stars, the law has changed things. The Safer Kentucky Act, which kicked in on 15th of July, has made it against the rules to kip or set up camp in public spots. Get caught doing it, and you could end up with a citation, be arrested, or even cop a misdemeanor if you don’t play ball.
“We’re now educating them on what the new law is, what the new law says, and what they’re supposed to be doing. And we tell them that they need to move on,” said public information officer, known as Ronnie Ward. “We’ve come up with a directive for the captains to pass on to the guys on the street and it is not to take people to jail to try [but] to do every possible thing to keep from taking people to jail because it’s not the answer,”
Regardless of these new strict rules, local law enforcement surely doesn’t want to criminalize homeless folks, according to their recent comments. In fact, they’re hoping to kickstart conversations about helping the homeless when they turn up to respond to cases of illegal camping.
Warren County’s Sheriff, Brett Hightower, emphasized that while enforcing the act, officers will strive to connect these individuals with beneficial resources like Life Skills and other non-profits in the area.
Earlier this year, Kris York, an advocate for the homeless community, voiced concerns about the Act. “Sticking them in jail is not going to help them. Convicting them of a crime is not going to help them. Get them rehabilitation, get them things that can help them,” York had stated. However, when asked Thursday to comment on the enforcement of the Act, York was positive, Praising the respectful manner in which law enforcement were treating the homeless.
Hit by this law, law enforcers are also thinking about public safety, aside from helping the homeless. “People do have a right also to walk up and down sidewalks without being, you know, without those being blocked,” Hightower said, highlighting how this act is also about keeping public areas accessible and safe from hazards like discarded needles and rubbish.
So far, one citation has been written by the Bowling Green Police Department for someone who refused to move on, while the Sheriff’s office has handed out two citations for illegal camping, both to the same person. Several warnings have also been issued. Public safety is still a top priority even as the law enforcement aim to deal with homelessness in a considerate and productive way.