MORGANTOWN – In just over one year since implementation of Morgantown’s hotly debated Article 1157, more commonly known as the camping ban, the controversial law has resulted in 35 warnings, eight second offense citations and one third offense citation, according to the city.
Per the code, a second offense is punishable by a fine of not more than $200. A third offense subjects the offender to a fine of no more than $500 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee said the one third offense citation issued resulted in no criminal penalties.
It’s difficult to overstate how contentious and hotly debated the adoption of Article 1157 truly was.
For the better part of a year, it dominated public discourse in the city and beyond.
It generated marathon meetings packed with hours of public comment – largely in opposition.
It split the city council 4-3.
It split the community, evidenced by the 986 to 905 vote on April 29, 2025 to keep the new law on the books.
And it all began near the end of the July 2, 2024 meeting of Morgantown City Council.
That’s when Councilor Louise Michael said she would like to see the city expand its prohibition on camping beyond public parks to all public property.
Michael recently told The Dominion Post she was not expecting the immediate and sustained backlash those remarks received.
But she would do it again.
“I don’t have any regrets because I believe it’s a health and safety issue. I truly believe that helping people out of encampments and into services will save lives,” she said. “The goal of this was not to criminalize homelessness. The goal is to help people.”
Further, Michael said she believes the small number of citations issued reflects the fact that the city isn’t out to punish people.
The city concurs, explaining the law is generating the interactions that lead to interventions.
“Article 1157 has served as a mechanism to facilitate conversations with individuals camping in public spaces. It allows our staff and community partners to intervene constructively and guide individuals to available services and support. It is important to recognize that in our community, as well as in communities across the state and nation, there are always individuals experiencing homelessness or living in challenging circumstances who need support. This isn’t a new experience for most communities. Our shared goal is to identify and implement the most effective, compassionate solutions to help people achieve stability and improve their quality of life while balancing enforcement with support,” Riffee said.
According to Article 1157, no citation can be issued or criminal penalty imposed under the law unless a person in violation has been offered alternative shelter and refused the offer.
Morgantown Mayor Danielle Trumble, who opposed passage of the ban, said she believes that stipulation is playing a major role in keeping the number of citations down.
She also credits Morgantown Police Department social worker Kelly Rice on that front.
“I know people are still upset about it. I maintain that I don’t think the actual law is doing what its intended purpose was stated to be. They said it was going to help people get help or get into services. I don’t know if that’s necessarily happening,” Trumble said. “Our homeless shelter is full at all times. I don’t know that it’s actually doing anything. I just don’t think it’s made a significant impact one way or the other.”
Since the law’s passage, the makeup of Morgantown City Council has changed. Based on previous votes from Trumble and Deputy Mayor Brian Butcher, and public comments from Councilors Jodi Hollingshead and Mark Downs, there appears to be a voting majority in opposition to the ban.
During council’s June 16 regular meeting, Hollingshead said the camping ban “is on our list.”
“We’re just about a year out – a little over a year out – and as with anything it’s good to take stock and think about how effective it is at its original purpose,” Hollingshead said.
Asked if there are conversations about revisiting the camping ban in some fashion, Trumble said she believes those conversations are always happening to some degree within subsets of council.
As for moving to repeal or alter the law, Trumble said there are no immediate plans.
“I remain cautious about making changes to something that the public voted on. I think the way that it is being implemented right now, and the constraints that are on it right now seem … I don’t want to say they’re working, but it doesn’t seem like a lot of citations or arrests are happening,” Trumble said. “So, bringing all of the controversy and fight back up, I’m cautious, because that will prevent us from being able to address other things. And, as I said, I’m cautious about doing that when the public voted already.”
