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Updated: 12:07 AM Feb 9, 2010
City Council to Vote On "No Camping" Proposal
Colorado Springs This week, Colorado Springs city leaders will have the chance to decide if they want to ban camping on city land. Ultimately, it would be a push to make it illegal for people to camp, or live, in the so-called “Tent Cities.”
Posted: 9:11 PM Feb 7, 2010Reporter: Rick Montanez Email Address: RMontanez@kktv.com  PLAY VIDEO: Proposed Camping Ban PLAY VIDEO: City Council Hears "No Camping" Proposal |
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36 Comments 
This week, Colorado Springs city leaders will have the chance to decide if they want to ban camping on city land. Ultimately, it would be a push to make it illegal for people to camp, or live, in the so-called “Tent Cities.”
This issue has divided the City of Colorado Springs for months. But, soon there may be a solution. Monday, the Colorado Springs Police Chief is expected to present a new ordinance to make camping illegal on city property.
11 News talked with Andy Anderson, who says he’s been living along Fountain Creek for about four years. If the ordinance passes, Andy says he does not know where he will live. "It sounds good when you talk about it, it sounds good on paper, but in reality, no,” said Anderson.
Anderson says he has a degree in Civil Engineering and cannot work because he is disabled. Over the years, he literally built himself a home. He used mud and wood to build insulated walls. Anderson also built stairs for his girlfriend to get down to the creek bed, and he uses solar panels to store electricity to run his DVD player and charge his cell phone.
Now, CSPD is passing along the word that soon, living along the creeks, like Anderson is doing, may be illegal. "It could come down to a point where we'll have to take their sleeping bag or tent as evidence to keep them from camping,” said Officer Brett Iverson, one of three officers in the Homeless Outreach Team.
If the ordinance is passed as it is written, warnings will be given to violators. They will also be given a list of resources for housing. If they do not find a new place to live after 48-hours a ticket will be handed out. The tickets carry a hefty fine or possible jail time at the Criminal Justice Center in El Paso County.
In the proposed ordinance, the city attorney's office has said it will avoid prosecution if the person could prove they've been trying to get help from the numerous resources presented to the violator.
The Colorado Springs City Council will discuss this proposal at its informal meeting Monday. No decisions will be made until the council’s formal meeting Tuesday. Both meetings start at 1 p.m. at City Hall 107 North Nevada Ave.
To read the proposal you can click the link below.
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Latest Comments
The homeless already have no where to go. Are you really going to take the last place they have? And on some other articles I have read about government complaining about the make-do toilets in homeless tent cities and about others complaining about how the homeless don't take care of their health and go to a doctor, well for one they have to have make-do toilets they have nothing else, you should be glad they aren't doing their business on your fricken lawn. And they can't aford a doctor and how would they even get there without money? Yes there's something to think about.
Why are so many people cold and heartless? It is good to give to and bless the poor. To abuse the poor is a curse to those who do it. Blessed are those who are merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Those who are not merciful will not receive mercy. It is truly better to give than to receive. How little would it take to help a few poor people they have so little hope, so little security, so little of anything why further injure them. The shelters do not have space for them all even if you agree that the shelters are providing a positive environment for them. Instead of rebuking the poor see what you can do to help them!
An alternative perspective: What if homelessness is merely a function of a legitimate capitalistic system? What if there will always be an upper class and a middle class and a lower class? Won't the middle and upper class always be upset at homes and neighborhoods that don't look as beautiful as theirs? Won't they then always try to sweep them under the rug or hide them away in an invisible tent city? When will we choose to look past our differences and begin investing in each others' lives (upper, middle and lower classes) such that we are a community / society that is moving forward rather that trying to cover up our social deficiencies? Let's continue to aggressively equip all in our society to pursue their potential. Let's continue to allow citizens to reap the benefits of their choices (and discipline / punish as warranted.) Finally let's learn to embrace and empower those who have not yet "cracked the code" for how to live materialistically in our materialistic society. Thoughts?
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