Police in Denver, Colo., have been filmed confiscating homeless people's cold weather gear, including blankets, sleeping bags and tents. Two videos revealing these actions have gained widespread attention in recent weeks, causing a great deal of outrage.
After facing massive public backlash and threats of legal actions, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock finally relented and ordered the city's police to discontinue this practice. Many homeless rights groups are hailing this as a key victory.
Unfortunately, the Denver Police Department will continue to enforce the city's ban on "urban camping" -- meaning homeless encampment sweeps will continue and citations resulting in fines reaching up to $999 will still be dealt out.
This law is ultimately a violation of homeless citizens' rights and serves to do little more than harass these vulnerable people. Instead, Mayor Hancock and Denver's legislators need to reconsider these laws and reallocate the funds wasted on shuffling the city's homeless from one camp to another into programs that get these people off the street and prevent them ending up there in the first place.
Please share and add your name to this petition to send a message to Denver's leaders to take these necessary steps to protect and help its homeless.
