Wilmington City Council to vote on controversial camping ordinance

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — On Monday, Wilmington City Council received a staff presentation about proposed changes to the city’s camping ordinance—introduced by councilman Luke Waddell. 

The ordinance would alter where and how people can camp—rules that especially affect homeless people. 

The biggest change would make it illegal to sleep on city property overnight. 

Waddell says he requested the change after business owners asked him to address homeless in downtown. 

“What I’m proposing is what I believe are common sense, tool in the tool belt, we heard from our chief that will enable our officers to help ensure we are prioritizing public safety and keeping the sidewalks, streets, and public spaces of the city of Wilmington clean, safe, and accessible for everybody,” he said. 

Though, not everyone agrees with Waddell’s proposal. 

Councilwoman Salette Andrews points out most of the behaviors that business owners are concerned about are already illegal under the current ordinance 

Andrews feels the real issue is enforcement, and resources for Wilmington’s homeless. 

“We need more beds, we need more emergency shelter beds, we need more transitional housing beds, and we need more permanent supportive housing,” she said. “And until we have that, I don’t think we need more ordinances. I think we need better enforcement, and I think we need better services.” 

Andrews feels the ordnance change will only complicate the issue—rather than help. 

“Everybody has to take up space and if you are not able to take up space here, you’re going to have to take up space somewhere else, and so all we’re doing is moving the problem from, you know, one block to the next,” she expressed. 

Despite disagreements, Waddell says he wants action. 

“We’ve had a lot of meetings on this, we’ve had a lot of discussions on this, frankly, I’m tired of the meetings and discussions. I’ll have as many as we want, but I think, just like a lot of people in the city of Wilmington think, we need action, we need action now, and that’s what I aim to bring forward,” Waddell said. 

Council will vote on the proposed change at their next scheduled meeting on September 9.