Three examples of differing opinions on Chillicothe's “Anti-Camping” Ordinance: Councilmen Jeff McKeever (supporter) and Dan Demint (changed his mind), and the Reverend Terry Williams (opposed).
There have been noisy opinions expressed in opposition to Chillicothe's “Anti-Camping” ordinance, but also increasing quieter support of it.
After council’s override of the mayor’s veto of the “Anti-Camping” ordinance on Monday, the ordinance intended to revise police policies on dealing with the homeless has been reinstated. Here is an overview of the varying opinions and statements about it.
Petitions both for and against have been made:
The opposition that created the Facebook page “Stop 555 Chillicothe” posted a list of signatories. The names are not numbered, but the double-spaced single-column list fills six pages. Approximately dated to April 10th, the petition is viewable on a Google Drive. Copies were given to council.
Connie Scott of the Republican Women of Ross County had messaged me on April 24th that “400 people signed a petition supporting the passing of Ordinance 555. These people did not attend city council meetings showing outrage but they are voters who are concerned and want no camping in the park and city sidewalks.”
She pointed out that it was not a petition drive by the political party, but a grass-roots effort.
The online flyer calling for opposition attendance at council.
Opponents filled the March 10th council session. As I wrote in “‘Anti-Camping’” Received its First Reading Amid Protests by Homeless Advocates in Chillicothe Council“:
“Pushback against the ‘Anti-Camping’ proposed ordinance continued as it received its first reading as a formal agenda item in Chillicothe Council…
“Advocates had marched to the council session in old City Hall with small protest signs, and filled the audience seating to overflowing before dominating the public address portion of the council session.”
A flyer on Facebook at the time was titled “YOUR TIME TO ACT IS NOW !SHUT THEM DOWN!” – “We need numbers and voices to shut this down before it’s too late.”
The Chief of Police had criticized the proposed ordinance and what it would require of his department. Chief Ron Meyers’ letter was mentioned by Mayor Luke Feeney in his briefing to council on March 24th. On the Stop 555 page, a digital copy of the letter is posted.
Read more about that in “Facebook Page Created for Opponents of ‘Anti-Camping’ Proposed Ordinance.”
A digital copy of the letter from the police chief, from “Stop 555 Chillicothe.”
Before council passed the ordinance on April 14th, councilman Gregg McKeever (R) gave a timeline of the development of the ordinance, including what he described as intimidation and doxing of council members.
Hear an interview with him on that in “‘Anti-Camping’ Ordinance Passed in Chillicothe Council,” and read his address to council in “Another Look at the Sides of the Homeless Camp Vote in Chillicothe Council.”
Councilman Gregg McKeever
Reactions during and after passage: Councilman Gregg McKeever, Mayor Luke Feeney, and the Reverend Terry Williams in “Another Look at the Sides of the Homeless Camp Vote in Chillicothe Council.”
Chillicothe 6th Ward councilman Dan Demint (right), with councilman Dustin Proehl (left).
Councilman Dan Demint (R) had originally voted against the ordinance on April 14th, but he was among the votes to restore it on May 12th.
After the original vote, Demint had emailed me an explanation of his action on April 23rd where he included his Facebook post on the day of the vote detailing his thoughts about the legislation.
He wrote that he was “on the fence about this legislation…but I couldn’t get on board with the ‘penalties’ section.”
Demint’s email to me:
From: Dan DeMint Dan.DeMint@chillicotheoh.gov
Subject: Potential Mayor Veto
Date: April 23, 2025 at 09:16:51 EDT
To: Scioto Post kcoleman@sciotopost.com
Good Morning, Kevin!
Dan Demint here. As you may know, I was one of three members of Council to vote "no" on the camping legislation nine days ago. That legislation had been up for discussion for almost three months. So, that means I had a lot of time to gather information, get input from many people (including some folks who've been in the struggle), and think about how I would vote, and why.
I shared a post on Facebook the day of the vote detailing my thoughts about the legislation, which I will attach to this email. In a nutshell, I was very much on the fence about this legislation because in my mind, the legislation was mostly good and certainly necessary, but I couldn't get on board with the "penalties" section.
I did attempt to sell Council on a "non-criminal penalties" version of the legislation, but that didn't go through. Still, the language was written so that it does offer built in safety measures for campers on public property, as well as a mandatory accompanying social services resource officer for a situation where a camp will have to be cleared. Also, an officer is not mandated to issue a ticket or any other charge for an individual who doesn't abide by the posted law. It allows for officer discretion.
Legislation is necessary and this legislation is better than nothing, which is where we're at currently. It can always be amended at any time in the future. I still don't like that the option is there for any kind of criminal penalty (this includes tickets), but I believe that CPD brass will use their discretion in a compassionate manner.
I fully support and respect Council's decision to pass this legislation, even if I don't exactly see it the same way. I'm reaching out to let you know that if this legislation comes back to Council due to veto action, I will be voting to respect the will of my fellow Council members. In the meantime, we will be working on solving housing issues and providing support for local homeless advocates and organizations.
Thanks so much!
Dan Demint
6th Ward Councilman
Dan.DeMint@chillicotheoh.gov
Read Demint’s “Long Read“ of his April 14th Facebook post that he shared with me in the article on the Scioto Post.
Mayor Luke Feeney vetoed the “Anti-Camping” ordinance on April 23rd, after returning from a family vacation. He sent a letter to council notifying them of that, which you can scroll through in the article on the Scioto Post.
In other previous Scioto Post stories on the issue, you can hear from both supporters and opponents in their own words in interviews and videos of public speakers at council sessions.
Also hear Chillicothe council members Jeff Creed and Julie Preston explain the design of the ordinance and why they acted to restore it, in my main story on council from Monday. And, read “Criticism Continues with ‘Anti-Camping’ Veto Override in Chillicothe Council.”
Find more in the article on the Scioto Post, including a video interview.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.