The Stockton City Council is set to address potential changes in how the city enforces its homelessness laws during a study session on Tuesday, August 27, following a significant U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The meeting will include briefings from officials across various city departments, including the city manager’s office, public works, legal, police, and economic development.
The Supreme Court’s June 28 decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson allows cities to cite and jail homeless individuals for violating anti-camping laws, even if there are not enough shelter beds available. This ruling could impact how Stockton enforces its own laws concerning homelessness.
City Manager Harry Black previously briefed the council on the decision in July, noting that it provides the city with greater flexibility in enforcing existing regulations. The upcoming session will mark the second time the council has discussed the issue since the ruling.
"We will be reviewing the entire policy for consistency with the federal ruling, including our capacity and the resources needed to implement any changes," said city spokesperson Connie Cochran.
One key topic will be how the "Take Back Our Parks" plan, a strategy introduced by Black that targets homeless encampments in parks, fits into the city’s broader response. The plan has been in development in anticipation of the Supreme Court decision, but it has yet to be operationalized.
The session will also be the first time the council has convened on the matter since Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order urging local governments to clear encampments. However, it remains unclear if Stockton’s approach to citing homeless residents has changed since the ruling. Data provided by the police and public works departments suggest no significant increase in encampment cleanups since the decision.
The study session is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Stockton City Hall and is open to the public. The council’s discussions could shape how Stockton navigates the complex issue of homelessness in the months ahead.
