Cicero Institute Applauds Grant's Pass SCOTUS Decision
28 Junio 2024 - 9:34AM
Earlier this year, The Cicero Institute filed an amicus brief with
the U.S. Supreme Court in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v.
Johnson (2024). Today, we applaud the Court’s decision, which
overturns the 9th Circuit's ruling that prohibited municipalities
from enforcing public camping prohibitions. This decision sets a
precedent for local autonomy in addressing the homelessness crisis
at the community level.
The Supreme Court's majority opinion upholds a
municipality’s right to implement compassionate and effective
measures to address the challenges associated with homelessness by
prohibiting dangerous encampments. It recognizes the importance of
local governance in managing public spaces and ensuring the safety
and well-being of all residents.
The Cicero Institute’s Director of Public Safety
Policy, Devon Kurtz, anticipates great effect from the ruling,
saying that “The Western U.S. has suffered under misguided
homelessness policies for more than half a decade. This ruling
offers those communities a chance to better help people living on
the street and reinvigorate their once-prosperous downtowns.”
“This historic ruling ensures that elected leaders
have the ability to take action to improve community safety and
protect property owners—action supported by a bipartisan
majority of voters across the nation,” said the Cicero Insitute's
Director of Communications Stefani Buhajla.
Key Highlights of the Decision:
- Affirms Local
Autonomy: The ruling reaffirms local governments' authority to
create and enforce policies that address their communities' unique
needs.
- Supports Public
Safety: By upholding Grants Pass's ordinances, the Supreme
Court acknowledges the city's efforts to maintain safe and healthy
public spaces.
- Promotes
Compassionate Solutions: The decision highlights the
city's commitment to balancing the rights and needs of all
residents, including those experiencing homelessness, through
compassionate and effective solutions.
The Cicero Institute is dedicated to solving
America’s growing homelessness problem. We offer the strongest
reform package to state leaders who want to fix bad incentives,
hold service agencies accountable for results, and get homeless
people the help they need instead of doubling down on failure. This
Supreme Court decision is an important step in helping communities
across the nation achieve those goals.
About the Cicero Institute:
Cicero Institute is a non-partisan public policy
research organization committed to fostering informed and
constructive dialogue on critical issues facing our
communities.
Stefani Buhajla
The Cicero Institute
386-681-7625
media@ciceroinstitute.org