The Portland government is clearing tents from its sidewalks to settle suit with people with disabilities. The settlement removal of tents blocking city sidewalks was announced recently in a lawsuit brought by people with disabilities. The federal class action lawsuit, filed in September, alleged that the city violated the American with Disabilities Act by allowing tents to obstruct sidewalks.
It has been shown in news clips all over the country. Sprawling homeless encampments made up of mainly tent that prevent the disabled from navigating the city. The plaintiffs include nine people with disabilities who use wheelchairs and scooters to get around. The settlement still requires approval from the City Council and the U.S. District Court in Portland.
Conservative news outlets have taken the opportunity to look at homeless camps all over cities like Portland and Seattle due to their progressive political governing. The Portland City Council has been considering new restrictions on camping. Current updates to the city’s camping code would ban camping between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. in many locations, including sidewalks.
The City Council previously voted in November to gradually ban street camping. Other ideas such as designated areas has been proposed with support. Under the current settlement, the city must prioritize removing tents that block sidewalks and clear at least 500 sidewalk-blocking encampments every year for the next five years.
Portland must also limit its distribution of tents to homeless people and operate a 24-hour hotline for reporting tents that are blocking sidewalks. It will also post “no camping” signs in areas where sidewalks are frequently blocked. The city is to create an online reporting portal where people can upload photos. It will create a publicly accessible database of reported campsites and actions taken in response.
