BY JARETT LEWIS
WHEELING — An anti-camping ordinance was introduced at Tuesday night’s Wheeling City Council meeting that would ban camping on public property.
The proposed ordinance defines camping as “setting up, remaining in or at property for the purpose of sleeping, making preparations to sleep, storing personal property and/or performing cooking activities for habitation purposes.” Prohibited areas for camping would be on any street, sidewalk, alley, easement, nature preserve, park, conservation park, parking lots, public grounds, public right of way or under any bridge or viaduct.
Camping would only be allowed if it’s for “historical, cultural or educational purposes” and if a permit is obtained.
The new ordinance was on first reading. If passed, it would take effect January 1, 2024. A similar ordinance was passed recently by city officials in Parkersburg.
Wheeling City Council discussed the proposed legislation and the passed legislation in Parkersburg during their previous meeting on Oct. 3. That meeting prompted protests outside the City-County Building. People were protesting the possible dismantling of the homeless encampment.
City officials had issued a two-week notice that an near the Nelson Jordan Center in East Wheeling was to be dismantled after complaints were made of criminal activity. After having discussions with the Wheeling Police Department, officials opted to not issue the notice and instead to extend the homeless camp until the winter shelter opens. However, if there’s a rise in criminal activity, trash dumping or other illegal activity, the city said it would move forward with dismantling the site.
Council members all took a few minutes to speak to the ordinance, their concerns with public safety and for those unhoused. Council member Ben Seidler said the city has received numerous reports of violence, drug activity, public defecation and other major issues coming from homeless camps that have to be addressed.
“We can’t ignore the fact that some people are scared to use the walking trail or go anywhere near Tunnel Green for legitimate fear of being assaulted and we can’t ignore the fact that some people are afraid to take their children to some of our playgrounds due to individuals leaving needles and sleeping under the playground equipment with their private parts on display,” Seidler said.
The council member said 40% of arrests made by the Wheeling Police Department this summer have included homeless individuals.
Seidler said council has a responsibility to find a solution for the homeless and to keep the rest of the city safe.
“Nobody here on council, nor the city administration, is out to blatantly declare war on our homeless individuals,” Seidler said. “We have a responsibility to represent the people of our city, including the homeless.”
Wheeling Mayor Glen Elliott said they cannot continue to ignore the criminal activity that has come up from areas with homeless individuals.
“Some of the camp sites that we have seen have had a lot of problems with crime, trash and personal property being stolen,” said Elliot. “This is an issue that has continued to get worse in Wheeling and across the state.”
Elliott said the council hopes to find a solution that is beneficial to the homeless and to the public safety of the city.
“I’m very optimistic that the Life Hub is the way to go,” he said.
The Life Hub, which assists the homeless during the winter months, has moved to its new location in the former First English Lutheran Church building at 35-16th St. in downtown Wheeling and is in the process of renovating the building and hiring on more people. It will be in operation for its 14th year and is fully supported by grant funding and donations.
Elliot said he still has questions with the structure and the funding for the Life Hub but believes it presents the best strategy moving forward.
A few dozen people were in attendance at the City-County Building for Tuesday’s meeting. Council members allowed for members of the public to speak on the proposed ordinance.
Opponents to the ordinance argued that the homeless do not yet have a viable option to go to for shelter and something more sustainable needs to be done with the winter months approaching.
The penalty for violating the ordinance would be a fine of between $100 and $500.
Wheeling City Council entered executive session and have not yet made a final decision.
