Georgetown Update on New Ordinances affecting Our Neighbors in Need

On June 10, 2025 the Georgetown City Council approved the first readings of two new ordinances:   Sitting/LayingDown/Sleeping and Food Distribution in Public Areas.  Michelle Augustine addressed the Council, opposing both ordinances.   

Read more about these ordinances and their impact.

The proposed changes to Sections 9.12.030 and 9.12.040, along with the addition of 9.12.050, risk criminalizing behaviors rooted in survival—sitting, lying down, sleeping, or seeking help in public spaces.  Let's be clear, people may sit on the public benches throughout the city and there will be exceptions to sitting along the sidewalk, for example at parades, festivities, musical events on the downtown Square.  However, laying down (and sleeping) in public spaces will violate the new ordinance (a few exceptions include due to a medical emergency). It is difficult to balance the safety of all with the basic needs of some.  More disturbing is the new ordinance that will  prohibit the distribution of food or other goods in publicly owned or operated parking areas.  Six days a week, Helping Hands of Georgetown's mobile pantry (for 9 years) and various churches, distribute brown bag lunches and some hot meals in the parking lot near the public library.   This ordinance directly threatens our ability to serve meals where they are most needed and most accessible.  Criminalizing compassionate outreach in that space will be devastating to our community’s most vulnerable -- low income families, seniors, and unhoused.  Downtown business owners and Old Town  residents have experienced problems with some unhoused individuals being rude, panhandling , or acting out.  The unspoken sentiment by Council, in my opinion, is that pantry programs and outreach programs are enabling the unhoused to drift around the city and cause disturbances.   It was explained to me that these ordinances give the local police some tools for enforcement.  Once again, faith groups and non-profits will need to find ways to help our neighbors in need.   

--submitted by Michelle Augustine