The City of Albany is preparing to enforce its updated ban on unauthorized camping on public property, a month after the city council approved the new regulations on August 7.
The ordinance states: “It is unlawful for any person to camp on public property or public right-of-way if they have access to reasonable alternative shelter, have the means to acquire it, or have been offered and rejected such shelter.”
Under the new rules, a first violation will result in a fine of up to $100. A second offense carries the same fine and/or community service, while additional violations could lead to fines, community service, and up to seven days in jail.
The ordinance encourages the Albany Municipal Court Judge to use diversion programs for individuals who are open to engaging with services such as housing assistance, mental health care, and drug or alcohol rehabilitation.
The city council voted 4-1 to pass these provisions, with Councilor Steph Newton Azorr opposing and Councilor Ramycia McGhee absent during the vote.
Since the city closed and fenced off previously designated homeless camping areas at Ninth Avenue and Jackson Street on August 29, a smaller makeshift encampment has appeared near the Pacific Boulevard/Ninth Avenue off-ramp, primarily on state highway property.
When asked about the situation, City Manager Peter Troedsson confirmed the ordinance would be enforced. “It’s an ongoing process,” he said. “On August 29, we cleared the two lots where people were camping without any incidents of violence or use of force. Next week, the Linn County jail work crew will clean up trash left behind in the area.”
Troedsson added that community service officers are focusing on areas where people are camping on sidewalks and rights-of-way. He explained that camps are usually posted with a 24-hour notice as allowed under Oregon law (ORS 195.505), but in this case, the property owner, ODOT, has posted trespass notices, giving campers ten days to vacate. “Once the ten days pass (this Saturday), the camps will be cleared,” he said.
Troedsson also noted the recent legislative shift in drug policy. “With House Bill 4002, drug use has been recriminalized, effective September 1,” he said. “But the challenges we face in Albany and across the state have been shaped by laws and policies that have been in place for years. We didn’t arrive here overnight, and we won’t solve it quickly. Unfortunately, cleanups like this will continue until we properly address the root causes of drug addiction and mental health crises.”
The bigger question remains whether these issues will ever be adequately addressed, and if so, how.