Olympia approves expanded camping ban in public spaces 

In a 5-2 vote, the Olympia City Council approved an amendment expanding the city's camping prohibition to include rights-of-ways and parklets.  

At the city council’s meeting on Tuesday, Olympia Police Chief Rich Allen observed that the current camping ordinance as stated in OMC Chapter 12.74 has gaps, particularly regarding the city rights-of-ways – the grassy areas between sidewalks and streets. The amendment aims to close this gap and prohibit camping in those areas.  

Homeless Services team 

Allen emphasized that this change does not alter the police’s approach. He said they will continue prioritizing compassion and collaboration with the Homeless Services team.  

“If there's a public safety risk, we'll deal with it immediately. Other than that, we'll collaborate with [Homeless Response director] Darian Lightfoot's team. We will engage the people there and point them to services,” Allen told the city council.  

According to Lightfoot, the amendment is driven by issues in specific areas, such as the strip along Rosie's Place and the area around the Veterinary Clinic, where organizations and neighborhoods have raised concerns. She emphasized that the amendment's intention is not to ban people from being in the grassy areas during the day, but rather to prevent the establishment of overnight camping and encampments in those spaces.  

Lightfoot stated that her team has been tasked with managing the current encampments and preventing new encampments from growing. Lightfoot acknowledged that the current approach of moving people around can feel arbitrary and cause harm through displacement. The aim, however, is to find a way to address people’s needs and connect them to services, but then not allow an encampment to grow in that location. 

Council views 

Councilmember Lisa Parshley expressed support for the ordinance amendment, advocating for a balanced approach that retains the community's trust and support.  

She said the city has "made a contract with our community" through One Community Plan, which is to make sure the city will work faithfully and continually for the compassionate needs of those without shelter, providing them with services, shelter, and access to housing.  

The councilmember pointed out that the community has backed the city by "passing Home Fund and taxing themselves to help to do this." 

"We are obligated to a degree to help with the balance on this. As long as that's the approach to what we're doing, I will support it, because I want our community's help in the future. I don't want our community to rise in arms against us. I want us to become even more of the example of what you do with homelessness, and that's going to be for a long time in the future, and we're going to need their help," she said.  

In voting yes to the ordinance amendment, Mayor Pro Tem Yen Huynh acknowledged the "impossible task" given to the Homeless Services team and recognized the importance of supporting the team in doing its difficult job. 

"It is unfair to give staff an impossible task and not give them the tools that they are asking for to do that task. Ultimately, they are following the direction that we have given them," Councilmember Dani Madrone stated in agreeing with Huynh. 

Councilmember Jim Cooper was one of the two dissenting votes. Despite acknowledging that he has "voted yes on expansions" of camping restrictions in the past, he said this amendment "would be against my values tonight." He believes Olympia is "doing a good job" and "meeting people where they are, with the tools we have in our toolbox." 

Councilmember Robert Vanderpool acknowledged that the measure was difficult. He pointed out that the city is "maximizing" its local efforts, but until the state and federal governments provide more support, the city will continue to face limitations.