Code Enforcement – We will view issues countywide, and center on the needs of not just people experiencing homelessness, but the needs and expectations of all our citizens and businesses when addressing complex issues.
We understand being unhoused is not a crime and it is not our intent to criminalize homelessness.
We support and fund law enforcement and have a zero-tolerance policy for crime in our community. It remains illegal in Douglas County to litter, vandalize, impede traffic, trespass, or to put children at risk on our streets, sidewalks, and public spaces. Camping restrictions are in place in unincorporated Douglas County, and municipalities also have ordinances in place which support public safety. We will continue to work with civil liberties legal experts and our respective legal departments to create a uniform framework for compassionate code enforcement.
We also understand that to implement Code Enforcement we must have dedicated shelter for the homeless in Douglas County (People v. Wiemold, 19CV30889). Our approach to supporting those who are unsheltered in our communities is to invest in a whole-person system of support.