Austin Will Issue Citations In Phase 2 Of Camping Ban

AUSTIN, TX — The city of Austin will begin issuing citations and written warnings to people who are in violation of the city's camping ban, officials announced Tuesday.

Austin police will begin issuing written warnings to individuals starting Sunday in violation of the city's homeless camping ban as part of the city's Phase 2 plan.

Authorities said repeat offenders may be given citations as the city implements progressive enforcement of the new ordinance, which was passed on May 1.

The new city ordinance, known to many as Proposition B, makes it a criminal offense (Class C misdemeanor) for anyone to camp in public areas, sit or lie down in the downtown or UT campus areas, or solicit money or other things of value at specific hours and locations.

RELATED: Austin's Camping Ban Begins May 11. Here's What You Need To Know.

For the past 30 days, Austin Police and other city departments have visited dozens of encampments across Austin to provide information to people experiencing homelessness about how the new ordinance may impact them, city officials said in a news conference Tuesday.

During Phase 1, police officers engaged with about 400 people experiencing homelessness at 70 different campsites to provide them with available resources and services and how to comply with the new rules while prioritizing health and safety, officials said.

“Through this implementation process, APD has maintained a responsible and humane approach to providing education and outreach to those impacted by the ordinances,” said Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon. “As we progress to the next phase, I want to reiterate that our goal is to enforce the law and maintain the best health and safety for everyone in Austin.”

City officials said residents camping across the city have been provided with information about alternative options such as storing personal items, getting assessed for housing resources and connecting them to other resources through the multidisciplinary Homeless Outreach Street Teams and or the Downtown Austin Community Court's triage case managers.

Austin police also created a resource guide to provide to unhoused community members, authorities said.

Austin's Homeless Strategy Officer Dianna Grey said staff are actively pursing options for increasing temporary shelter capacity and or creating designated campsites in the near future.

"We are maintaining focus on aggressive expansion of long-term stable housing for people experiencing homelessness through the initiatives like HEAL, creation of new permanent supportive housing resources, and partnerships with critical community organizations,” Grey said.

Teams from APD will enforce the new ordinance by visiting sites and making assessments of any ordinance violations, officials said. Austin Fire will also assist officers to identify fire hazards and issue warnings.

Officials said people residing at encampments will be advised to immediately address violations and otherwise begin preparing themselves to move.

The city's phased approach pertains only to sites that were in existence prior to the new City ordinance, which went into effect on May 11. People who attempt to set up new camps are subject to immediate notification of violation, and enforcement action, if necessary, authorities said.

What happens after Phase 2?

Once Phase 2 ends on July 10, authorities said Phase 3 will begin July 11 and will continue through August 7. This phase will issue a citation if a written warning has already been issued.

Arrests for violating the camping ordinance will only be utilized in situations where individuals refuse to vacate areas that have been deemed dangerous to the public.

Phase 4 is expected to begin Austin 8. From that date forward, any person violating the camping ordinance may be taken into custody if an officer issues a citation and the individual does not voluntarily leave the area, regardless of whether that area is specifically deemed dangerous to health or safety.

Authorities said in cases where officers arrest a person for violating the city's camping ordinance, the individual will processed through the Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) whenever possible.

This means that DACC will provide individuals the ability to immediately see the judge, instead of being booked into jail, and will have access to DACC’s continuum of social service supports.

For more information about the homeless camping ban, visit the city's website.