Summerville Town Council votes on first reading of ordinance to ban illegal encampments

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – Town councilmembers in Summerville voted Thursday evening on a new ordinance that would make it illegal to camp on both public and private property without permission.

At the meeting led by Summerville Mayor Russ Touchberry, the council passed a first reading of the ordinance.

The town’s public safety committee voted to bring the ordinance to the council on Monday.

If passed after further reading, it would give law enforcement the authority to clear encampments from sidewalks, parks, trails, waterways, and even vacant lots, as well as private property, unless the person has written permission from the landowner.

However, police would have to post a 24-hour notice before removing tents, belongings, or structures. Items left behind could then be stored or discarded.

“The foundation of municipal government is public safety,” said Mayor Touchberry when speaking with News 2 on Monday. “This is about strengthening property rights and making sure we’re treating similar areas the same, especially since our town spans three counties.”

Despite this, some locals have expressed concern about the ordinance, saying the town can’t handle the potential displacements and that the long-term impact on those being displaced could be harmful.