Brockton mayor vetoes bans on camping and loitering in public spaces

Brockton's mayor vetoed two ordinances that would prohibit loitering and camping on public property.

The city council passed the ordinances two weeks ago in an attempt to restrict homeless encampments. Lowell and Fall River passed similar measures since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that cities could ban people from sleeping in public.

The policies would have allowed the city to fine people for breaking the camping and loitering bans.

Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan said a $200 fine for camping is "punitive" and wants the city council to amend its ordinance.

"At the end of the day, we have to have a compassionate, human approach, providing wraparound services to the unhoused," he said. "I do appreciate what the city council is trying to do to find solutions to some serious problems related to the unhoused."

He added he hopes the expansion of services by the shelter and outreach center Father Bill's & MainSpring will prove to be a "game changer" to address homelessness and addiction in Brockton.

As for the loitering ordinance, Sullivan said he believes it is unconstitutional.

"I've never vetoed before," said Sullivan, who has been mayor since 2020 and served as a city councilor for 14 years before that. "I respect the city council ... but as the mayor of all citizens in Brockton, I truly cannot support these measures."

He said he is hopeful the city council will review his feedback and offer policies that "are going to protect those that really need our protection and our support."

The council could adjust the ordinances and send them back to the mayor, or the body could override the vetoes with eight votes from the 11-member council.

Councilor Jeffrey Thompson, who voted in favor of both ordinances, told WBUR Wednesday he is working with his fellow city councilors "to make minor amendments to the ordinances to find common ground and garner the votes necessary to override the mayor’s veto."

He said he is disappointed by the mayor's veto.

"For a long time, my constituents downtown have been crying out for city action on unlawful encampments that threaten their safety. It’s my job as a city leader to work to address their concerns," he said in a statement.

During its Nov. 12 meeting, the city council initially passed the camping ban in a 7-4 vote, and the loitering ban with a 9-2 vote.

At that meeting, Councilor Maria Tavares spoke out against the bans, saying people sleeping on the streets often have no alternatives.

With reporting by WBUR's Fausto Menard