No Homeless Ticketed Yet In No-Camping Ordinance

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) – Colorado Springs police say they have yet to ticket any homeless people since an ordinance banning camping in public went into effect two weeks ago.

Police say they are referring homeless people to shelters or substance abuse programs instead. Colorado Springs City Council approved the ordinance, which makes it illegal to be in a tent or other temporary shelter on public property.

City officials estimated last month that between 300 to 500 homeless people were camping in the city.

Police say that they have issued written warnings to campers, referring them to an agency or shelter. People who are still camping 48 hours after being warned will be given a ticket and could eventually go to jail.