Wooster officials are meeting on Monday, December 3 to consider an ordinance that will charge the homeless with misdemeanors for refusing to seek shelter.
The first offense will be a $150 fine, which is similar to a speeding ticket. The second offense will be a fourth-degree misdemeanor with a fine of $250 and 30 days of jail time.
City Law Director John Scavelli says the ordinance is not about penalties, but making sure that those in need get shelter.
“The point of the ordinance is to communicate with those who are in need and to help them engage with the services that are available to them. That they may not know about or may have trouble getting to. That’s really the point of it.”
Scavelli says that individuals who are restricted from entering available shelters will not be fined or charged.
