At its City Council meeting Wednesday, the City of Reno is planning to “refine” and “consolidate” prohibitions against camping, lying down, sitting and sleeping in public places.
It is recommending that Council approve the introduction of an ordinance to amend Title 8, Chapter 8.12 of the Reno Municipal Code titled “Offenses Against Public Peace.”
Advocates for the unhoused say this will further boost the criminalization of the poorest members of our community, leading to even more difficulties for those without stable housing.
The Instagram account for the local group Family Soup Mutual Aid has posted a call to action, to oppose the vote, and have “all hands on deck to make your opposition to agenda items F.1, F.2 and F.6 known to City Council by Wednesday.”
In its post description, the group added in all caps: “IF THEY ARE MAKING SITTING ILLEGAL, THEN SIT IS WHAT WE'LL DO.” In its slides, it explained why many say they avoid the massive Cares Campus, including feeling unsafe there.
The mutual aid group has a weekly community dinner gathering on Tuesday evenings at the Believe Plaza.
City staff is also recommending Council approve the introduction of a new ordinance in the Reno municipal code to prohibit loitering on private property under “Offenses Against Property” Title 8, Chapter 8.10.
It said this would help address side shows, street racing, fights, narcotic sales and other crimes. In a discussion section, it indicates “people gathering on private property after hours is challenging for businesses and law enforcement and the current codes do not allow for enforcement consistently. “
It said its proposal mirrors an ordinance in Lodi, California which makes it “unlawful for any person to enter or remain on any posted property without the written permission of the owners, tenants.”