Another no sleeping in vehicle ordinance

[GraceinMotion]

Not that I go East much, but

 

[WanderingRose]

Yep, and I think there will be more and more of these, driving vehicle dwellers out of any urban area.

I don’t necessarily buy the “concern” being primarily for the safety and well being of those in the vehicle, tho that gives them the reason to knock on the window and tell people they need to vacate the premises.

 

[Homeless in Canada]

I feel safer already knowing this is for my own safety and well being

 

[highdesertranger]

can you please provide more info, many of us don't do the facey thingy. highdesertranger

 

[GraceinMotion]

Sorry, for those not on FB, my OP was regarding Roanoke County, VA passing an ordinance to prohibit vehicle dwelling. After a bit of backlash, they posted this:
"CLARIFICATION:
The purpose of the ordinance is to enable our staff to intervene in serious cases where people are using their automobiles for an extended period of time as sleeping quarters, in place of a residence, hotel or other accommodations. Most importantly, our concern is for the health and safety of the person living in this type of situation, particularly during the cold winter months. Enforcement of the ordinance will be complaint-driven, and individuals in need will be provided with information regarding resources to aid them in their situation. The ordinance does not prohibit short term napping.
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The Board approves a new Section 13-14 of the Roanoke County Code, prohibiting the use of automobiles as sleeping quarters. #roco"

 

[sushidog]

So what do they consider a vehicle?

Obviously a car, but what about a van? How about a class B RV that is basically a tricked out van?

How about a pick-up with a camper on the back? What about an 18 wheeler tractor with a sleepover cab? How about a big 36ft class A motorhome like mine? Are they gonna come by and roust me out of my nice warm bed to go make me sleep on a cold arse cot in a homeless shelter? They need to rethink it, or they may have people refuse to pay the fine and instead ask to sleep in a nice warm jail cell for a while in protest, being housed and fed at the county of Roanoke's expense, of course.

Chip

 

[lenny flank]

I don't subscribe to either the "communist government wants to control us!!!" or the "capitalist government wants to force us to pay rent!!!" conspiracy theories.

Lots of cities have passed ordinances like this. I suspect lots more will in the future. They are always pretty clear about what the problems are--and it is always the same problems. People who park in the same place for a year. People who dump their shit (literally) on the street. People who panhandle everyone in sight.

We are not the droids they are looking for. But, sadly, it is always just a handful of people who cause all the difficulties for the rest of us.

 

[RoamerRV428]

people. all about humans. humans MAKE counsels enact rules. Simple as that. What humans do on a daily basis means at some point 'rules/laws/ordinances' or whatever ya want to call them have to be made and enforced.
People are always the catalyst to every single rule/law/ordinance or whatever that is made. It doesn't get any simpler than that literally. Best thing is the ordinance is 'complaint' driven which means if one is smart, one can get around this rule a tiny bit but again, dealing with humans, some don't have one brain cell to make it work for them then against them.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

So what do they consider a vehicle? . . .
 What about an 18 wheeler tractor with a sleepover cab? How about a big 36ft class A motorhome . . .

Probably any vehicle parked on a city street in an area that they are having problems.  Or somewhere where neighbors have complained.

If you are parking an 18 wheeler or a 36 ft motorhome on residential roads you are going to get checked out.  You will probably be told to move, get ticketed and told to move, or if combative - arrested.

If arrested it will cost you way more than the City.  Your vehicle will be towed and impounded, you will be photographed, fingerprinted, and strip searched before escorted to your new home for the night.  Fines, court costs, and tow/impound fees await.

 

[WanderingRose]

Just want to point out that the cited ordinance refers to AUTOMOBILES being used for extended periods as sleeping quarters.

 

[mayble]

i just assume it's illegal everywhere
if you look deeply enough into any communities ordinances, you're bound to find it in there somewhere

 

[uncagingmyspirit]

I genuinely feel that we as nomad community / travelers, will need to start banding together and going to City council meetings and getting politically involved to safeguard our lifestyle. It's happening more and I believe it's being fueled by greedy real estate owners that fear how many people are abandoning permanent dwelling living. 

I've tried getting local people interested in going to city council meetings and I've tried joining a monthly group that meets to discuss problems and solutions. Locals have figured this out and in at least one area that I'm in occasionally, police have started harassing RV and Van dwellers. It's become so overwhelming / negative that I stopped going to the meetings and council meetings.

 

[WanderingRose]

I fear that nothing good could come from publicly advocating against ordinances prohibiting living in automobiles.

I can’t imagine this being discussed and then openly allowed, rather it is known of and allowed now in many places because it hasn’t become an obvious and overwhelming problem.

I believe that, as there are more people doing this, more and more communities are going to pass ordinances prohibiting it.

I’m not sure what the answer is, but suggest perfecting stealth skills and enjoying urban dwelling while you can.

 

[littlebillspokane]

I'm looking for an RV park in the Phoenix metro area that accepts Vans

 

[ckelly78z]

As a tax paying, property/home owner, I would be the one who calls the LEOs if someone was parked/sleeping/hanging out on the street in front of my house. No one wants that, because no one is sure of the occupant's intentions/stability. To me, it's more about the safety of my family that is coming/going from the house, than it is for the van dweller !