Homewood Police Begin Enforcing New Homeless Encampment Law
By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
October 27, 2025
HOMEWOOD, Ala.
Numerous cities in Alabama and nationwide continue to review current ordinances addressing the unhoused when it comes to sleeping in parks, encampments, empty or abandoned buildings, and on city sidewalks.
The City of Homewood has had similar issues and recently passed a new ordinance, which now must be enforced by the Homewood Police.
Homewood police said that they have begun enforcing the new law prohibiting encampments on public property after the completion of officer training.
The law mandates a 24-hour notice for homeless encampments to vacate. This measure comes after several alarming incidents in the city, including reports of a flasher and a woman being followed.
Police are working with Birmingham shelters and the Crisis Center to assist those willing to accept help. The ordinance, adopted by Homewood’s City Council after extensive discussion and public input, bans camping or sleeping overnight in public areas, parks, or vehicles on city property without a permit.
Nationwide, cities have ignored public safety concerns and allowed people to sleep on park benches, set up large encampments off Interstates, on school grounds, and in wooded areas.
But in doing so, it caused serious crimes to occur, concentrations of people using drugs, defecating and urinating in public, and a rise in thefts, public nuisance, and disorder, and a decrease in the quality of life for others living in these areas.
City leaders stress the law is aimed at community safety rather than making arrests.
Sgt. Mark Trippe of the Homewood Police Department noted there have been no recent complaints about encampments.
The ordinance allows for amendments to ensure fair enforcement and community protection.
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