DeKalb commissioners approve camping ban in 5-2 vote

DeKalb County commissioners voted 5-2 Tuesday night to ban unauthorized camping on public property, ending months of debate and repeated deferrals on the measure authored by District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah.

The ordinance makes it unlawful to camp in a way that blocks public property or interferes with pedestrian access. No person may be arrested without first receiving an official warning and an offer of assistance services. Individuals then have 24 hours to pack and remove personal belongings from public spaces.

Massiah pointed to sidewalk obstructions along Candler Road as a safety concern. "It actually provides protections for public access ways like Candler Road, where just a moment ago, there was a woman trying to walk down the sidewalk and had to step into the street to try to get past this right here," she said.

Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry voted against the ordinance. "We passed this law with no SOPs, with no procedures," Terry said. "The result will be that more folks are going to be arrested and put into the jail, and right now, that is not the place for them to be." Gregory White, executive director of A Home for Everyone in DeKalb, also opposed the measure. "This hurts poor people, so that's why we were fighting against it," White said.

Along Candler Road on Wednesday, Opal and George Thomas sat on the sidewalk with two dogs and their belongings. "It's not easy to get help. It's not. We haven't been able to get any help," the couple said. After the interview, a DeKalb County police officer and representatives from the county's Community Development Department arrived to offer assistance.

County officials have not released written standard operating procedures for officers, nor have they established where personal property will be stored during encampment clearances.

The ordinance now goes to the DeKalb County CEO, who holds executive authority over the legislation. Terry said the CEO has seven days to veto the measure and confirmed he has formally asked her to reject it.