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In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled fining or jailing people for sleeping and camping in public places when there is no shelter available does not violate the Constitution.

The decision gives local governments the license to criminally punish people in homeless encampments or other public spaces.

A recently proposed ordinance in Duluth would make camping on city property a misdemeanor crime and Brainerd is considering a similar law.

Rochester recently passed a similar ordinance, and police say it’s led to more people using overflow shelter space as well as a large drop in the number of encampments.

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests discuss the recent ruling and how it could affect Minnesota.

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that gives local governments the right to criminally punish people for sleeping and camping in public spaces.

Punishing people for sleeping and camping in public spaces

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