City Council reviews camping ordinance implementation
City Council · Meeting of September 23, 2026
Salem City Council hears police report on camping ordinance implementation. Captain John Burke of the Police Department presented enforcement data from the camping ordinance, adopted in June 2024: the Community Impact Unit had advised people to vacate encampments 92 times, made only three arrests involving two individuals, and helped approximately 10 former residents of the South River encampment transition to housing or family reunification. The number of people identified as living on Salem's streets increased from roughly 15 to about 95.
Councillor King questioned whether ordinance enforcement could affect housing or employment; Burke clarified that violations do not appear on CORI records. Councillor Holappa asked whether the ordinance was achieving its stated goals; City Solicitor James Wellock explained the U.S. Supreme Court's Grants Pass decision and noted the Massachusetts Attorney General has interpreted the state constitution as potentially prohibiting such ordinances.
Councillor Smith moved to remain in committee, passing 4-1, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for mid-October.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 308 words
Source: the City Council meeting of September 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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