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Police Chief Uses Unique Method To Control Homeless Population
NEVADA CITY (CBS13) – A police chief says he’s found a one-of-a-kind way to manage a growing problem in his city, and it’s putting the homeless on the hot seat.
A new law would give Nevada City the power to hand out permits to a small group of homeless, which would give them permission to sleep in public. While the new ordinance would give some homeless a place to stay, it would tell others, mostly the troublemakers and the criminals, to stay away.
“I come down here every fall,” said Bob Barton, who chooses to be homeless in Nevada City.
For Barton, the new ordinance that would essentially identify law-abiding homeless and reward them is music to his ears.
“The goal is to start managing the homeless population within our city,” said Chief James Wickham.
Wickham asked council members to pass a no-camping ordinance.
“It just basically means you can’t set up a tent. You can’t live in your vehicle. You can’t live in the woods in Nevada City,” he said.
That is unless you have a permit.
Jarhead Cracka
November 18th, 2012
With Obumsteer and another 4 years of this economy, I predict they’ll be handing out a lot more homeless permits in the near future. Obamavilles coming to a location near you.
Sarge
November 18th, 2012
What next Gay Marriage?
FreeMan & Sarah Intend to Defend
November 18th, 2012
And a voter card
Tim
November 18th, 2012
Why can’t they just put em up at the local library, like New York City?
cfm990
November 18th, 2012
A certified, permitted, card carrying member, of the homeless community, and damn proud of it.
sablegsd
November 18th, 2012
Sigh.
Brown Eyed Girl
November 18th, 2012
Actually, I think it’s pretty innovative. I am an elected official in a western U.S. county and actually pulled the proposed ordinance from Nevada City’s website. Anyone applying for the permit must provide identification, and it just might be the tool we need to start addressing this problem in one of our larger communities. I’m quite sure that in our area, some of these folks do not want anyone knowing who they are. Under Nevada City’s program, only about 15 permits per year would be granted, and the “camper” agrees to let city officials drop in unannounced at any time to see what they’re up to. As opposed to enabling them to remain homeless, I think it’s a great tool to put pressure on them to leave.
Mark Zist
November 18th, 2012
Won’t they get in trouble for “profiling” when they try to enforce it?
Mr.Gates
November 18th, 2012
Why not give them a railroad car to sleep in? In the middle of the night, hook up and send them all to California.
Ten Megaton
November 18th, 2012
I like that he “chooses” to be homeless in Nevada City. A great place to be homeless according to Bob Barton. Wonder if Oblome would mind me being homeless in the Lincoln Bedroom in the southeast corner of the second floor of the White House?
Racist
November 19th, 2012
So requiring these people to acquire a free (or at most $10) ID and/or produce said ID once every 2 years to vote is racist and disenfranchisement, and suppresses the poor and minority votes… But requiring homeless people to obtain a permit “TO BE HOMELESS”, as well as REQUIRING A PHOTO ID TO APPLY FOR THE PERMIT!, is “Progressive” and “A FREAKING REWARD”…”Music to the Progtard who CHOOSES to be homeless’ ears”??? AYKM? AYFKM? You know damn well that this is Libterds’ bright compassionate (and well thought out) Idea!!! I gaurantee these same people are all Obama activists who vehemently oppose Voter ID Laws!!! They absolutely can not see any sign of…or possibility of there actually being any significant voter fraud at all. But they can sure see the potential to become the beneficiaries of a new state (or State/Federal) entitlement program coming in the near future!!! Maybe even a “bailout” from 0bama if they play their cards right!!! Once these “poor poor victims of that mean old Bush destroying the eceonomy”, become “legally” licensed and permitted “official Homeless, they state can’t very well let them stay homeless and hungry now could they? Of course not! The county or state will just have to provide them food to keep them from starving, and of course health care because…, and if they’re going to do all that they might as well “help” them get a home and furnish it… And come to think of it, they had better go ahead and cover utilities and insurance too. Wouldn’t want these people to end up homeless would you? Why do you hate the homeless?
Unruly Refugee
November 19th, 2012
@Mr.Gates
That’s a great idea, but if it’s the Nevada City I’m thinking about it is already in Kaliphornia.
The place was crawling with hippies back in the 1960s, but most of them had jobs to supplement their welfare back then.