BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners are tightening policies around unsanctioned encampments. Assistant County Legal Counsel Kim Riley says new guidelines outline the procedure for removing homeless camps on county-owned property. "Previously, a policy was approved by the board, relating to the removal of unsafe encampments. But this is follow-up that is necessary based on the board’s prior action in August." The update mirrors the previous policy, but applies to any county-owned property declared closed to the public, not only those deemed "unsafe." It still requires campers be given notice and that the county store personal property taken from a site.

Commissioner Phil Chang worries it opens the county up to a lawsuit, "If people who are defending an unhoused person’s right to sleep in a public place, for example, might come forward and legally challenge us." But Riley explained Wednesday campers still must be offered another place to go, "We anticipate that you would have to identify an alternative location, just as we did with the code."

A sanctioned campsite for people displaced from encampments has not been developed, although a location is under consideration on the east side of Redmond, near Oasis Village. Commissioner Chang said Wednesday, "I’m really concerned that we have not made more progress for creating alternative places for people to go. I think we certainly could have in this timeframe." But added, "I will vote yes on this motion, because I hope adopting this policy will help us become even more focused and get more serious about really doing what’s necessary to establish alternative places for people to go."

Commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone also approved the update. DeBone said, "I do support putting this on paper. This is what it would look like as we try to proceed and work together in the community to improve the situation, public safety, offering resources for people in need, and not having unsanctioned encampments where it’s very impactful."

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