Police tweak plans for homeless sweeps

Colorado Springs police on Tuesday proposed a three-day warning period before accompanying a city-sponsored group on any homeless camp cleanups, and they invited critics to form a watchdog group and tag along.

But if those tweaks are intended to stave off a lawsuit against the city, police may have to return to the drawing board.

"If they determine they can constitutionally go on with the sweeps, then we will sue," said former Marine Capt. Rick Duncan of Colorado Veterans Alliance, whose threat of legal action this fall prompted the city to call a moratorium on the cleanups.

Duncan, who did not attend a meeting where the ideas were discussed, reacted to news that police may pursue a new ordinance making it illegal to keep belongings unattended on public land, objecting that the measure would criminalize the chronically homeless and leave them without a place to turn.

Police have not yet lifted the moratorium, and they pledged to continue working with their critics and service providers to refine the program.

Meanwhile, police say, complaints have been pouring in from people upset by the amount of trash building up along the city's trails and creeks.

The issue of homeless camp cleanups came to a boil in October, after Robert Moran of The Street Church released a video that appears to show workers from the city-sponsored nonprofit Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful disposing of blankets and other belongings during a sweep under the Cimarron Street bridge.

The nonprofit denies the items were thrown away, and police defended a sequence showing an officer opening a suitcase and rummaging through it, arguing that he had a responsibility to search for contraband or any identifying information that could help return the bag it its owner.

Police officers accompanied the group to ensure its safety.
Without acknowledging wrongdoing, city leaders halted camp cleanups and pledged to examine the legal and ethical ramifications, including whether the homeless have a right to belongings left on public land.

On Tuesday, police floated several ideas at a public gathering.

In addition to a new city ordinance making it illegal to store private belongings on public land, police said they may pursue restrictions on when people can use the trail system, saying it will better allow them to police the homeless.

They also want volunteers for a watchdog group to accompany the nonprofit, and for outreach workers to come along for additional assistance. Police are proposing that Keep Colorado Springs Beautiful contact soup kitchens and the local shelter at least 72 hours before embarking on a cleanup.

"We're not saying, ‘This is what we're going to do," said Deputy Chief Ron Gibson. "What we're saying is, ‘This is being considered, and we need your feedback.'"

Duncan said he will oppose any effort targeting personal belongings in the camps.

"The lawsuit's been written and it's ready to go," he said. "If they determine they're going to do this in a way that doesn't respect property rights, they'll be in court."