CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) – A new proposal from Chatham County Commissioners would criminalize urban camping in the county.
The ordinance would allow law enforcement to invoke criminal penalties for camping on public property, according to Chatham County Commissioner Aaron Whitely.
“The public camping ordinance what it does is help us steer people in the right direction of what’s currently available,” Whitely, Commissioner for District 6, said. “It is criminalizing the public camping. However, if somebody were cited, the first engagement, they won’t go to jail. They’ll be cited and given the opportunity to get the help they need. Now, if between that and them going to court, they don’t actually get the help or choose not to get the help, then we have to start making some other decisions.”…