The data show that police frequently warn “campers” that they are violating the ban and need to “move along.” But the camping ban ordinance also instructs police to ascertain whether a homeless person “is in need of medical or human services assistance, including, but not limited, to mental health treatment, drug or alcohol rehabilitation, or homeless services assistance,” and to make “reasonable efforts to contact and obtain the assistance of a designated human service outreach worker.” How often do the police actually contact outreach workers and obtain assistance during their contacts with the homeless? Our survey data suggest that police contact with outreach workers is rare—far more rare than verbal or written warnings to “move along,” and more rare than citations or arrests due to violations other than the camping ban. As the chart below reveals, “campers” are directed to social services in only about 10% of their interactions with police; outreach workers are called only about 5% of the time. In fact, the homeless outreach staff of the Denver Street Outreach Collaborative have reported NO calls from police regarding homeless campers since the ban went into effect, 34 so this 5% response rate may simply refer to an officer contacting another police officer specially assigned to homeless outreach.
100% 90%
80% 70% 60% 50%
Far fewer respondents report service assistance (blue bars) than report being warned, "moved along," or cited/arrested by police (for various reasons)
The Denver Camping Ban
Chart 4. What Happens During Police Contact With Homeless “Campers”?
40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
35