CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Leaders in this sprawling suburb south of Denver voted 9-0 on Monday to prohibit camping on city-owned property, joining several other cities in the metro area that have already made the controversial move.
City manager Bob Widner cast the need for the ordinance as a “public safety issue” and several Centennial homeowners took to the microphone to ask that city leaders do something about a handful of impromptu trash-strewn campsites that have popped up in the city lately.
“I don’t think camping in public areas is the right way to deal with the homeless,” said Pat Benhmida, a Centennial resident. “I live here and I want to keep it safe.”
But several people pleaded with council members not to pass the ban, saying it essentially criminalizes homelessness.
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