On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Fremont Police Chief Sean Washington introduced a controversial ordinance targeting homelessness to the city council. The proposal ignited heated debate among the council and residents, ultimately passing despite sharply divided opinions. While some attendees expressed hope for change, others left feeling disheartened and frustrated.
“I’ve listened to what some residents are saying, and they’re saying is that what we’ve implemented so far isn’t working,” said Mayor Raj Salwan, who voted in favor of the ordinance.
Building on last month’s RV crackdown, the new ordinance significantly broadens its scope, targeting the removal of personal property left on any public space—including buildings, parks, streets, open areas and waterways. It also allows authorities to enforce the abatement of belongings left unattended on public property for 24 hours or more.
Police Chief Washington spoke to the complex nature of homelessness solutions, saying it’s important to solve the crisis with compassion and dignity while also maintaining law and order. One of the goals of the ordinance he outlined was seeking voluntary compliance by giving offenders warnings before implementing enforcement.
“I do not believe as a police chief that we can arrest or cite our way out of this problem,” Washington said. “But I also need to have those tools for those in our community that may defy lawful orders.”
But the police chief’s attempt at presenting a balanced approach didn’t assuage some residents’ concerns. Resident Terry King took to public comment and pleaded with the council to sit on the issue before passing a motion, saying she believes it only criminalizes homelessness.
“It is cold and rainy tonight,” King said. “Do we really want to be kicking people out of their tents? Where is our humanity”?
Council member Kathy Kimberlin voiced her concerns, warning that the ordinance would strain the city’s already overburdened police force, while Vice Mayor Desrie Campbell argued that investing in shelter beds for the homeless would be a more effective solution. However, with the mayor and council members Raymond Liu, Yajing Zhang and Yang Shao backing the measure, Fremont seems to be taking a tougher stance on homelessness.
