Portland homeless people

In Portland, Mayor Ted Wheeler is directing police to issue citations rather than booking violators of the city's new camping ordinance, following a disagreement with Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole O'Donnell, who asserts that homelessness should not lead to incarceration. This decision reflects broader tensions over how to handle homelessness, similar to the situation in Los Angeles, where local officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, have criticized Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order aimed at clearing encampments. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected the directive, reaffirming their commitment to a 'care first, jails last' approach, emphasizing outreach and services over criminalization. Sheriff Robert Luna stated that his department would not change its strategy despite the governor's order, as overcrowded jails pose a barrier to effective enforcement. Moreover, the Supreme Court's ruling allowing cities to enforce laws against sleeping outdoors has not swayed local leaders from prioritizing supportive services instead of punitive measures. The consensus among officials in both Portland and Los Angeles underscores a growing recognition that criminalizing homelessness does not resolve the underlying issues.