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People experiencing homelessness are now prohibited from sleeping on sidewalks or inside of a parked car within the city of Allen.
Allen City Council passed an ordinance at a December council meeting after hearing a presentation from Police Chief Steve Dye.
The context
In his presentation to council, Dye said the city already has an ordinance limiting camping in parks; however, the city has seen an increase in unsheltered people sleeping on sidewalks and breezeways in front of businesses.
This has “disrupted business operations at opening and has resulted in the use of resources, such as electrical power and Wi-Fi, without the property owner’s consent,” city documents state.
What it means
The ordinance prohibits sleeping in any outdoor area accessible to the public, including:
Dye said if police officers encounter a person not complying with the ordinance, they are required to issue a warning first. The warning lasts for 48 hours and encompasses the entire city, he said. After that, individuals could receive a fine up to $500 per day, according to the ordinance.
“This ordinance is designed to keep Allen businesses running smoothly while still helping people who may need basic assistance with medical care, water, food and shelter,” Dye said. “This provides officers with a clear, consistent tool to address safety concerns while offering support and resources to individuals who need help.”
The ordinance is not designed to encourage officers to seek out unhoused individuals, said Summer Land, Allen Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Program manager.
“We don't go out and actively try and make people's lives harder than they may already be,” Land said. “This is just for that small percentage [of people] who may be causing some issues out in front of a store. Our first line is always going to be, ‘Hey, can we help you get somewhere? What can we do to help you in life right now?’”
Land said the Allen Police Department works closely with Lifepath Systems, the behavioral health authority for Collin County, to provide resources to unhoused individuals. To learn more about Lifepath Systems, visit the organization's website.
