UPDATE: February 7, 2023
Proposed Dover Ordinance #2022-26 has been withdrawn.
We remain committed to advocating for policies that acknowledge root causes of homelessness and promote solutions rather than punishments. Studies show that communities save money and increase public safety by providing housing and services to those in need rather than saddling them with fines, fees, and arrest records and cycling them through expensive hospital, court, jail, and probation systems. Housing solutions save money on law enforcement, improve school attendance of unhoused children, enable people to maintain steady employment, increase the success of mental health treatment and substance use treatment, and help preserve public health.
We ask all government officials to stop criminalizing innocent behaviors that are often the byproducts of poverty and homelessness, and start investing in approaches that prioritize dignity and respect and lead to the best outcomes for Delawareans — housed and unhoused alike.
Thank you for supporting our advocacy!
UPDATE: January 18, 2023
The ACLU of Delaware sent a letter to the Attorney General's office demanding an immediate pause on the enforcement of the state loitering and solicitation statutes pending a legislative repeal. These laws not only unconstitutionally penalize people occupying public spaces, but also illegally discriminate against people in need and those experiencing homelessness. As long as these state laws remain in place, cities across Delaware continue to enact them into ordinances.
The constitutional right to exist in public spaces must be protected.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF OF THIS LETTER
UPDATE: December 12, 2022
This ordinance has been tabled. Check back for future updates and ways to stay involved.
Thank you for making your voice heard!
The letter below was sent to the City of Dover in opposition to proposed Ordinance #2022-26. This ordinance clearly violates several consitutional protections, and further criminalizes Delaware's homeless population by enacting penalties for any activity deemed to be “loitering." If enacted, we are prepared to take legal action.
Every person in a free society has a right to exist in public spaces, and this ordinance is in direct violation of that right. We therefore ask the city to withdraw the unconstitutional Dover Ordinance immediately, and invest in developing approaches that will lead to the best outcomes for all Delawareans — housed and unhoused alike.
