The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office says it stands with other Indiana sheriff’s offices in opposing Senate Bill 285. WNIN’s John Gibson has details:
The bill’s goal is to ban homeless encampments on public lands.
It would require law enforcement to issue notices to vacate with potential misdemeanor charges after 48 hours.
But the local sheriff’s office and the Indiana Sheriff’s Association oppose the measure.
They say criminalizing homelessness is not a solution.
The sheriff’s association argues it would place unnecessary burdens on law enforcement, strain already crowded jails, and make it harder for vulnerable Hoosiers to regain stability.
The local sheriff’s office says it supports expanding emergency detention to include trained mental health professionals.
The office notes jails are for public safety risks, not for individuals facing hardship.