Share this @internewscast.com
An Oregon judge has granted a preliminary injunction that stops a rural city, involved in a significant U.S. Supreme Court decision about homeless encampments, from enforcing camping restrictions unless specific conditions are fulfilled.
The ruling, made by Josephine County Circuit Court Judge Sarah McGlaughlin on Friday, mandates that the city of Grants Pass must enhance capacity at city-designated camping areas and make sure these sites are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
If these conditions aren’t met, the judge’s order prevents the city from issuing citations, making arrests, or imposing fines on those camping on public property. Additionally, it stops the city from evicting campers, removing campsites that are not explicitly abandoned, or banning camping in most city parks.
The city may still enforce rules banning sleeping on sidewalks and streets or in alleys and doorways.

Vehicles drive down Rogue River Highway as light shines on the area on March 23, 2024, in Grants Pass, Oregon. (AP)
After the lawsuit was filed, the city reopened a second, smaller site and extended the time people could remain at the location to four days.
McGlaughin’s order states that the city must increase capacity to what it was before the larger site was closed.
Tom Stenson, deputy legal director for Disability Rights Oregon, praised the ruling.
“This is not a radical solution. The court is basically saying, ‘Go back to the amount of space and places for people who are homeless that you had just three months ago,'” he told The Associated Press.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.