An attorney is threatening legal action against the city of Chico over enforcement of park camping rules.
Cory Turner, supervising attorney with Legal Services of Northern California, recently sent a letter to the city demanding that it suspend any plans to cite and remove homeless people from Bidwell Park and other public spaces.
Earlier this month, the City Council adopted an ordinance allowing for criminal enforcement of park rules.
“We sent them the letter to inform them that the city has a web of ordinances that criminalize or otherwise punish the status of being unsheltered and sleeping on public property,” Turner said.
Turner added that enforcing park camping rules against homeless people would likely be unconstitutional because the city does not have adequate shelter space.
He declined to state whether the city has responded to his demand. Messages NSPR sent to the city seeking comment were not returned Tuesday.