Brockton and Lowell Ban Public Camping

Brockton and Lowell City Councils have voted to ban camping on public property, reflecting a broader trend following a Supreme Court ruling allowing such local ordinances. The Brockton ordinance, passed by a 7-4 vote, includes a $200 fine for camping and a $50 fine for loitering, with Councilor Jeffrey Thompson citing public safety and business concerns as motivations. Critics, like Councilor Jean Bradley Derenoncourt, argue the measures unfairly target the homeless and may hinder their ability to secure housing. The ordinance requires encampments to be dismantled only if alternative shelters are available, and violators could face fines and removal. Similar actions have been taken in other cities, such as Fall River and Bluefield, as municipalities struggle with rising homelessness. The emphasis is on addressing unlawful behavior, though opponents stress the lack of comprehensive solutions for the unhoused population.