Town Hall meeting held to discuss City of Bluefield’s proposed camping ordinance

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Community members had the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask questions this evening about the proposed City of Bluefield camping ordinance.

A town hall meeting was held at City Hall which started at 6 p.m. and was led by members of the Bluefield City Board.

According to City Manager Cicel Marson, Bluefield does not have a large homeless population but that could change with the city’s projected growth.

This evening the City Attorney David Kersey described the details of the ordinance.

If the City Board passes the ordinance, anyone that is found camping on public property will be issued a warning and offered help in finding housing on the first offense. If the individual is caught again, they could receive a $200 fine and be asked to show up for city court where the city will have mental health and homeless resources available. If the individual continues, the subject could be arrested on the third offense, after they repeatedly refused assistance to find housing.

Three people spoke during the meeting and all expressed gratitude to the city for wanting to pass this ordinance.

Bluefield resident Robert Searle who once lived in homeless camps in Florida in the 1980’s says from his experience he thinks the city is doing the right thing in offering free resources to these individuals.

“I think the ordinance is great,” said Searle “You got the first and the second and third offense and they’re going to take the second offense and try to get you help and then you can try to learn some skills and learn some stuff because while you’re out there homeless, you don’t know about these skills, you don’t know how to deal with that stuff and you don’t know how to cope with a civilization.”

The first reading of the camping ordinance was passed on Tuesday, October 22.

The second reading for the board to vote on may be next month. If it passes then it will be law.

You can find more information about the proposed ordinance on the City of Bluefield’s website and Facebook page.

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