Amy Harris says it’s time for the Vancouver mayor and city council to pass and enforce stronger limits on public camping
Amy Harris
Clark County Matters

Clark County Matters
After months of delay, the city of Portland has begun enforcing its ban on public camping. Portland’s ban reflects the reality that accountability must go hand-in-hand with compassion. In fact, without enforcement of strict no camping laws, most people who are homeless will simply refuse services and shelter.
Will Vancouver elected officials learn this lesson?
TELL CITY OFFICIALS:
STRENGTHEN + ENFORCE NO CAMPING LAWS
One startling (but not surprising) fact also emerged – many campers also had outstanding warrants for their arrest. In just the first five days of camping ban enforcement, 39 people were arrested with open warrants. In other words, a strictly enforced camping will not only drive more people into shelter and services, but it will also hold people accountable who are doing bad things in our community.

Earlier this year, we suggested seven specific ways Vancouver can strengthen its ban on public camping. Elected officials ignored our suggestions. As Portland enforces its camping ban, it will likely drive more campers into Vancouver and Clark County. It’s time for the mayor and city council to pass and enforce stronger limits on public camping.
Thank you for making your voice heard. You are not alone.
Also read:
- Letter: The silent eviction – Why Clark County is becoming unlivable for the middle classYacolt resident Mark Rose warns of a “silent eviction” in Clark County, arguing that taxes, soaring insurance and state policies are quietly pushing the middle class out.
- Opinion: Fish first, or people, that’s the dam question?Lars Larson: ‘I think we should put the lives and good fortune of people first … and not fish’ Lars LarsonThe Northwest Nonsense The biggest news story today and this week in the Pacific Northwest is the so-called atmospheric river of rain headed our way. Four to seven inches of rain dumping in the next …
- Opinion: ‘I don’t understand how it is an act of racism to enforce our immigration laws’Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance argues that enforcing immigration laws is not an act of racism and voices support for ICE actions in recent Clark County cases.
- Opinion: Despite historic tax hikes – Washington state faces $4.3 billion deficitRyan Frost argues that Washington’s projected multibillion-dollar deficits stem from rapid spending growth, not a lack of revenue, after years of historic tax hikes.
- Letter: A misleading headline about a misleading initiativeBattle Ground resident Gary Obermeyer argues that Initiative 26-126 would restrict voting access rather than improve election integrity.








Portlandia is also going to start enforcing license and registration laws for people living in cars and RVs with steep fines, towing costs, and eventually a charge for disposing of decrepit RVs. This will drive even more of them over to Vancouver than we already have.
I already regularly see beat up vehicles loaded up with stuff, sporting Oregon and Washington license plates that expired years ago, parked on neighborhood streets here in East Vancouver. We had one guy parked on the street here for almost 2 weeks before VPD finally convinced him to move someplace else, despite numerous daily complaints.
We are already in serious trouble here because of the idiotic policies from City Clowncil, that pay more attention to stupid virtue signaling, like this ridiculous flag nonsense, than actually solving anything to do with the migratory vagrants who are attracted here in droves.
Yes, the flag design nonsense… totally tonedeaf.
Vancouver, WA needs to have a ban on camping also! Vancouver is turning into an ugly looking city all because of too many homeless ruining our green areas. This is unacceptable!!!!