City Of WPB Approves Ordinance Prohibiting Actions Officials Say Diminish Public Health, Safety

From City of West Palm Beach:

During the West Palm Beach City Commission meeting on Monday, December 28, 2020, the Commission approved the amended Ordinance No. 4919-20, which prohibits any activity that compromises the maintenance, public health and safety throughout the City. The ordinance was created in efforts to improve the quality of life for residents, protect the livelihood of local business owners and to enhance the overall experience for West Palm Beach visitors.

In response to numerous concerns from the public about these ongoing behaviors, and in efforts to preserve safety throughout West Palm Beach’s various sectors, Ordinance No. 4919-20 will curb conduct that negatively impacts the community. The behaviors targeted by this ordinance include aggressive panhandling in the City’s Northwood and Downtown areas, and public indecency and public actions of human waste Citywide. The ordinance also included a section regarding sleeping or camping in public areas, but this point has been tabled for further review. The topic will be revisited during the City Commission meeting on Monday, January 25, 2021.

Ordinance No. 4914-20 will take effect 10 days after approval. To read the item in its entirety, please see item number 9 on the most recent Pass Fail City Commission agenda. For questions or concerns regarding this or other matters, please call the City of West Palm Beach at (561) 822-2222 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.