Changes to disorderly conduct code aimed at homeless halted by Assembly until after October election

Concerns the new rules could give police excessive arrest authority over everyone result in city leaders tabling proposal for further review

Tents occupied by people experiencing homelessness are placed across the street from the Glory Hall shelter and other social service agencies on Teal Street on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

A proposal giving police more authority to arrest people sleeping or otherwise occupying public spaces has been tabled by the Juneau Assembly due to a committee’s concern the change would give officers excessive authority over everyone for everyday activities.

The unanimous decision by the Assembly at its meeting Monday night to table the proposed change to the city’s disorderly conduct code, rather than postpone consideration of it, means it cannot be considered unless it is reintroduced as a new ordinance after the Oct. 7 municipal election.

"My reason for doing that is I think that the ordinance in itself can really use some improvement," City Manager Katie Koester told Assembly members after making the recommendation to table the proposal. "And certainly I know many members of the Assembly have been working on ways to improve it."

"So I really wanted to request that it be tabled versus just pulled, because if it's just pulled then it's kind of sitting out there and can be brought back at any time," she said. "And I wanted to make sure that we communicated that from management's perspective, we really would like to not take this up at this time or in the near future."

The change in the city’s disorderly conduct code was aimed at reducing problems resulting from camping and other activities by people experiencing homelessness. It made it illegal to "stand, walk, or camp" in any "public path, public parking lot, or public parking garage" intended for pedestrians, bicycles, or vehicles.

But Juneau’s Systemic Racism Review Committee, in an Aug. 12 memo to the Assembly, argued "taking away the right to stand or walk on a public street would make it a crime for people to simply exist in the community."

"This expanded language invites discrimination and racism in its enforcement," the memo states. "The code as amended would most likely be enforced for specific populations and surely not be used to prevent, for instance, tourists from blocking public paths. The expanded language in this section would make the code impact more people for more activities in more places, creating an unnecessary need for more enforcement."

Complaints about rampant illegal activity and other disruptive behavior by people experiencing homelessness have increased in recent years in Juneau, prompting residents, businesses and social service agencies to ask the city for additional enforcement measures. Juneau Police Chief Derek Bos was among the officials seeking the proposed change to the disorderly conduct code, telling Assembly members at a previous meeting existing code doesn’t necessarily allow probable cause arrests of people camping in such areas.

The Assembly’s Committee of the Whole on July 14 voted 7-2 to advance the proposal to the full Assembly for public comment and possible approval, following Bos’ request for the change and Deputy City Manager Robert Barr stating the provisions are similar to those in state law.

Opposition to the proposal at that meeting was expressed by Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, who said the multitude and complexity of the issues being discussed need more detailed scrutiny. Mayor Beth Weldon, among those voting in favor, said the problems being reported are serious enough to necessitate quick action.

The tabling of the proposal on Monday makes it virtually certain the change will not be considered before the city’s cold-weather emergency shelter opens on Oct. 15. Assembly members and other local officials working with the unhoused community say problems from campers are fewer when the shelter is open, although some businesses near the shelter have reported more problems during those periods.

The Assembly’s decision also comes about a week before the Glory Hall is scheduled to limit its meals and other daytime services to residents at the shelter starting Aug. 26, although exceptions for people with appointments for services will be made. Kaia Quinto, executive director of the Glory Hall, stated in an Aug. 11 email, "We hope that this is temporary/resolved before the Warming Shelter opens/fall sets in."

"We want to make Day Shelter services available again, particularly during the Cold Weather Shelter patrons during the cold weather months, October 15 - April 15," she wrote.

The shelter and other social service agencies in the Teal Street area had asked the Assembly to consider a shelter safety zone since homeless camping is particularly prolific in the area. Assembly members on Aug. 4 deadlocked 4-4 on that proposal, but may bring it up again for reconsideration or evaluate other options, such as security officers for the area.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.