In the latest suburban measures addressing homelessness, the city of Surprise, Arizona, has implemented an ordinance following the passage of Arizona Proposition 312 in the November election. As reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, the law restricts urban camping and effectively outlaws individuals from establishing long-term living quarters in public spaces such as parks.
As per the new legislation, surprises have started in the streets where Surprise City Councilor Jack Hastings, the initiator of the ordinance, expressed that the city aims to "create opportunities for people to come to Surprise" valuing a "clean, safe city and streets," where "people following the law." Surprise is not merely expelling the homeless; as Hastings explained, it is a final resort, giving law enforcement power "This isn't necessarily just the end all, be all, right? This is not the first thing we're going to be doing, but it does empower our law enforcement to take action after certain other things have been unsuccessful," a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Ordinance 2024-30, which received unanimous approval, includes a ban on setting up homeless camps as well as prohibiting activities like washing in public fountains or urinating and defecating in public spaces in Surprise. The U.S. Supreme Court allowed such measures in June of the same year, as indicated by additional coverage from Ground News.
Heading the enforcement, Surprise Police Chief Benny Piña is calling for "accountability with services," acknowledging the shared responsibility held with community services to keep streets "safe, clean," as echoed by Hastings. Residents, like Jerry McDowell quoted by FOX 10 Phoenix, support the effort for the enjoyment of tax-funded public spaces, but also seek more substantial aid for the homeless, "We need more places for them to go to than to congregate where my grandchildren play," said McDowell.
Meanwhile, some community leaders like Dominick Medina, Executive Director of the Fuerte Arts Movement, argue that deeper causes, particularly the lack of affordable housing, persist unaddressed. Medina emphasized in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, "I mean, I think in the long-term we need to move away from housing for profit. Housing, shelter is a human necessity as long as we look at it as a way for people to profit then we’re not gonna ever have housing for all."
