PEKIN, Ill. – The city of Pekin has made some additions to its public camping ban ordinance.
The original ordinance approved in July just banned camping, but on Monday night the city council approved changes to define “sleeping” and its prohibition.
The ban means that a tent or shelter would not be needed for police to approach someone sleeping on city property.
The language added after council approval defines sleeping as occupying public property and maintaining a static or still body position and appears to be in a state of unconsciousness.
Police Chief Seth Ranney says the overall goal of the ordinance is still the same.
“This change is not punitive, we’re not looking to issue citations, we’re just looking to be able to go out and make contact legally, and get them to a better place than laying on the public properties,” Ranney said.
Ranney says that since the ordinance was passed in July, there have been no citations issued.
But Ranney also mentioned to council his surprise in learning that some of the homeless people in Pekin who did not want to receive assistance in finding a home or a shelter.
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