Multnomah Co. officials consider new camping ban

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Multnomah County is reportedly considering creating its own camping limits.

Portland and Gresham officials met on Tuesday to discuss how they would regulate camping within city limits.

The goal of the meeting was to explore what a county policy might contain and how it would be enforced.

“Most county residents I’ve found want a compassionate response to those living unsheltered and want the county to shelter and housing,”

Both Portland and Gresham would make offers of shelter before forcibly removing people from camping sites.

Portland’s current camping ordinance went into effect in July.

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Community organizers in Clark County are referring to Portland as a cautionary tale in the homeless crisis.

Under the regulations, people who refuse shelter and refuse to stop camping in a place they have been asked to leave can face fines of up to $100 or up to seven days in jail.

Gresham does not fine people who camp in unsanctioned areas but it has a rule that bans camping on all public property within city limits that is not designated for camping.

Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards’ chief of staff Eric Zimmerman, who is also a candidate for Portland City Council District 4, laid out an attempted timeline for developing regulations that could result in a new county police by mid-November.

“The quick rundown of this is we have all seen the camps that have exploded on the street,” said Zimmerman. “Trash goes in every direction, multiple tents, sometimes fires to keep the manor warm.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner Lori Stegman said she was not ready to weigh in on whether the county should even have a policy.