TOMS RIVER – A new ordinance will ban homeless people from congregating in the municipal parking garage at risk of facing fines or jail time.
The parking garage, just north of East Water Street, services the town hall, library, and downtown shops. It’s also been the place where some homeless people were camped out earlier this year.
Homeless interviewed during this time stressed that this was not orchestrated by nonprofits as an organized protest, but the result of an overnight shelter closing and what critics said is Toms River’s aggressive stance against the homeless population.
Under the new ordinance, anyone camping out there or storing their belongings could be fined or jailed. Additionally, any organization that assists them could be held accountable.
The Toms River Times reached out to Mayor Daniel Rodrick to explain the purpose of the ordinance.
“There were two drug overdoses, car thefts, fights, and we arrested two people selling narcotics,” he said. “A nonprofit organization dumped over two dozen homeless people and they set up a camp in our garage. That’s not acceptable and we need legal authority to regulate it.
“Additionally, residents should be able to park in the garage without fear. Having groups of young men hanging out by the pay station is not safe, particularly when they are homeless and drug addicted,” he said. “Over 90% of the homeless are either drug addicted or mentally ill. Having large groups of drug addicted mentally ill people hanging out in a parking garage where moms want to take their child to the library and our senior citizens park to come and pay their taxes is not a safe situation. For all of these reasons we need to be able to regulate the parking garage.”
During the Township Council meeting when the ordinance was voted into effect, a majority of the council (William Byrne, Craig Coleman, Justin Lamb and Lynn O’Toole) voted for it.
Councilman Thomas Nivison voted against the ordinance, stating that it will cost the town more in enforcement, sending police to the area. Additionally, the homeless don’t have the money to pay fines.
Councilman James Quinlisk voted against it, saying “While I agree something needs to be done,” he doesn’t agree with this move. “This alone will not end homelessness.” The town needs to work with the county to get them help.
Councilman David Ciccozzi abstained and got cut off when he was explaining his reasons.
