Wichita City Council members sparred over the enforcement of the city’s homeless encampment ordinance Tuesday. The conversation came after Wichita Mayor Lily Wu questioned whether the ordinance could be more strictly enforced downtown. The ordinance allows for rapid removal of homeless encampments by eliminating the need to post notices to vacate. However, a homeless person can not be charged under the ordinance unless a shelter bed is available. Numerous council members pushed back against stronger enforcement of the ordinance in the city’s core area, citing the limited number of beds at Second Light, formerly known as the Multi Agency Center.
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