CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Councilman Marc Jackson hopes Clarksburg’s proposed camping ban ordinance will be a turning point in efforts to help the unhoused population, protect property owners and ensure public safety.
City council passed the measure through first reading last week with a final passage vote expected on Nov. 7 following a public hearing.
Jackson said the measure is in response to the rise of unsheltered individuals in the area. The first violation would be a written warning, a second violation would come with a $200 fine, and a third violation within 12 months would increase the fine to $500. The measure passed on a 4-2 vote with Jackson being one of the ‘yes’ votes.
“I’ve been in these encampments, you have clothes and garbage, drug paraphernalia, it’s not safe, and it’s not healthy. You know, I think it’s time that we make a push to help these individuals get the help that we need,” he said.
According to Jackson, the initial discussions related to the ordinance began not long after the Morgantown City Council passed a similar ordinance in August. After a suspected relocation of some unsheltered individuals away from the Morgantown area to Fairmont officials there made changes to their anti-trespassing policy allowing police 24-hour access to enforce their laws to prevent encampments.
Clarksburg is home to dozens of social service agencies and other members of council felt their ordinance was necessary.
“Clarksburg is a soft spot, you know, with a lot of resources and not to be hard on unhoused individuals, but we can’t leave ourselves wide open, we have a citizenry that we have to take care of,” Jackson said.
While Jackson remains steadfast on the need to have laws such as the city camping ban on the books, he also emphasized a need to maintain social services that are currently funded by the city. This includes allocations to the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge counties and the 22 non-profits that work with the organization. Understanding the circumstances on a personal level, Jackson hopes the camping ban and available services will help more people get the help they need. The ordinance provides relief from citations if treatment is accepted.
“It takes a catalyst to help these individuals get moving along and take advantage of these services,” said Jackson. “I’m an individual who is in long-term recovery, so I understand that individuals don’t always jump at this help that’s offered, sometimes it takes a little prompting to get individuals to accept that help,” he said.
In response, the West Virginia Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union issued an official letter of protest, which included an invitation to meet with them to consider alternate options. This was also separate from the several hours of public comment that occurred during last week’s meeting, much like what was seen in Morgantown during the late summer. Despite the very vocal opponents of the measure, Jackson remains steadfast that this will benefit the entire Clarksburg community in the long term.
“A lot of what I heard was, ‘Not now, we’re going into the winter. Why now?’ well, we’re trying to help them (unhoused individuals) into facilities,” said Jackson. “And you know, everybody has these strong opinions, but if not now, when?”
Story by Mike Nolting, WAJR