New ordinance in Hagerstown to outlaw sleeping in public spaces

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) — Starting August 8, it will be against the law to sleep in a public space in Hagerstown — in parks, on sidewalk benches, parking decks or even vehicles parked in public places.

Doing so could land you in jail for 60 days and cost you a $500 fine.

Spotting someone sleeping on the street is not uncommon, especially in downtown Hagerstown.

Chuck is a church volunteer, familiar with the homeless problem and aware of the city’s plan to protect public spaces.

“A lot of times people don’t have anywhere else to go,” Chuck said. “They would just violate the ordinance, and they would just get arrested, and what would that solve?”

At the Hope Center, a downtown shelter, director Aimee Izer said, “A lot of our men that stay in our shelter — over half — work full-time jobs. They just cannot afford housing.”

Affordable housing is a top concern at City Hall, explains council member Tiara Burnett.

“There is no rent control law in the State of Maryland,” Burnett said. “But what can we do at the local government level where we can help to better our neighborhoods?”

Burnett and Mayor Bill McIntire want to address the housing affordability crisis. In the meantime, they say, sleeping on the street compromises public safety.

“We’ll look into rent caps, look at all different kinds of things that we can do to try to help,” Mayor McIntire says. “We’ll help our population here and help out the police department as well.”