A Bay Area city passed a new ordinance making it illegal for individuals to “aid and abet” people in homeless encampments on public property.
The Fremont City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to enact a penalty on individuals “causing, permitting, aiding, abetting or concealing” a homeless encampment. Those found guilty of a misdemeanor could be jailed for up to six months or face a $1,000 fine.
The ordinance makes Fremont the first city in the United States to penalize a person or organization for “aiding and abetting” a homeless person.
Advocates for the homeless, such as Abode Services, a local nonprofit organization, are worried that they could be penalized for providing the unhoused with basic living necessities such as sleeping bags and tents, given the vague definitions of “aiding” and “abetting.”
Vivian Wan, the group’s CEO, fears the city…
