FPA Supports Fremont's Proposed Camping Ordinance

The Fremont Police Association supports the implementation of the proposed General Camping Ordinance (Fremont Municipal Code Chapter 8.90). This ordinance will reduce demands on our public safety services, and provide our members with additional tools to provide our community members with solutions-oriented policing. Currently, our members are unable to effectively address the public’s interests when confronted with unhoused community members infringing upon the safety and wellbeing of other community members.

The Fremont Police Association has a long history of proactively providing unhoused community members with numerous services. For instance, the Fremont Police Department has a Mobile Evaluation Team (MET), whose primary job is interacting with unhoused community members and providing them with mental health services, substance abuse resources, employment services, and even temporary housing options. In 2020, the Fremont Police Association supported the City of Fremont’s construction of the Housing Navigation Center (HNC), which provides housing for 233 unhoused community members. Our MET Officers act as direct liaisons between the HNC and our unhoused community members, ensuring these members are provided with opportunities for safe, clean housing. Our MET Officers work tirelessly to provide these numerous resources to the City of Fremont’s unhoused community members, and the FPA has supported increasing the robustness of the MET program when staffing allows.

Currently, the resources and solutions our members provide only work when the unhoused community members desire change, and are willing to work with our officers or the various organizations providing these services. Sadly, MET Officers encounter individuals who are infringing upon the safety and wellbeing of other community members, and do not wish to accept any of the available resources provided by the City of Fremont.  During these encounters, our officers are typically hamstrung in obtaining solutions, and the community members who called for our service are left feeling helpless and victimized.  Additionally, this small fraction of the unhoused community places an inordinate demand on emergency services.  The Fremont Police Department and Fire Department regularly receive numerous calls for service regarding the same individuals, who do not wish to accept any resources offered. Through denying assistance and placing an inordinate demand on emergency services, these individuals reduce services available to other community members.

The implementation of FMC Chapter 8.90 would give our members the discretion to provide solutions to community members in search for answers to an unhoused community member’s infringement onto their safety and wellbeing. The Fremont Police Association does not believe this ordinance is a panacea. Rather, it is merely a tool to be used in limited circumstances when unhoused community members refuse to comply with requests and reject assistance.

The members of the Fremont Police Association pride ourselves on being some of the most well-trained and compassionate police officers in the nation. We are public servants, and as such, we serve the entire community.  Our officers are required to balance the interests of all parties on a daily basis, and have done so by exhibiting professionalism and compassion. The General Camping Ban is not a directive to conduct mass incarceration of unhoused community members, as some advocacy groups may claim. This is merely fear mongering. Rather, the members of the Fremont Police Association will continue to use their common sense to apply laws and ordinances in a rational way, that balances the interests of all members of the community. We understand the community trusts us. It has taken decades for our Association to build that trust, and the very last thing our members wish to do is erode that trust through the inappropriate application of discretionary laws.

Accordingly, we call on our community to support the passage of Fremont Municipal Code Chapter 8.90, because this ordinance will give our members – your police officers – the tools and discretion they need to provide the highest level of service to the public.

Show Your Support

Click here to Email City Council using the template below, or with your own specific supporting ideas.

Dear Fremont City Council Members,

I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed General Camping Ordinance (Fremont Municipal Code Chapter 8.90). This ordinance is a necessary step to ensure the safety and well-being of all Fremont residents while providing law enforcement with the tools needed to address the growing challenges associated with unhoused individuals who decline assistance.

I urge you to support the passage of FMC Chapter 8.90 to enhance public safety and maintain the quality of life for all Fremont residents. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address] (optional)
[Your Email] (optional)