Updated homeless ordinance gives Worcester County law enforcement another tool

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. — Worcester County Commissioners have updated an ordinance aimed at combating homelessness. This update revises a county law originally enacted in the 1980s.

County leaders are now looking to toughen penalties. Bill 25-02, an anti-camping measure, makes it a misdemeanor to inhabit, camp, or sleep on county-owned property.

Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli believes this gives his department more options.

“If the homeless population does not take these resources and is defiant to the entire process, this ordinance gives us tools to move toward the charging process,” he said.

Violators could face up to 30 days in jail or a fine of $1,000. The goal is to provide resources to help those struggling with homelessness get back on their feet.

Diakonia Executive Director Ken Argot hopes the ordinance will focus more on prevention.

“Two years ago, we started the Rapid Response Team in response to the homelessness issue, because we wanted to ensure our team of professionals could reach homeless individuals before they became a problem for police,” Argot said.

Although penalties are harsher, Sheriff Crisafulli prefers a preventive strategy.

“We’re going to continue to work in conjunction with Diakonia and other outreach initiatives that are available,” he said.

Argot remains confident that his response team can intervene before law enforcement is needed.

“We try to get them to treatment; we try to get them to different avenues. This would be the last step,” he said.

The law will go into effect in July.