Is banning public camping necessary for health and safety?
As part of Ordinance No. 25-015, Camas officials emphasized that public spaces such as sidewalks, parks, and streets are designed for recreation, walking, biking, and other shared uses. The ordinance states that unauthorized encampments without sanitation create health and safety risks for both campers and the wider community. Supporters argue the new law will help keep public areas clean and accessible, while critics worry about its impact on unhoused individuals. With health and safety at the center of the debate, we’re asking readers what they think about the new ban.
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Camas bans camping on public property
The Camas City Council unanimously approved an ordinance banning camping on public property, following a Supreme Court ruling that allows such laws. Police stress the foc...
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