City Council Defers on Public Camping Ban, Challenges 'Sanctuary City' Label
Also, Hampton introduces a behavioral health response team and launches new Buckroe Beach safety station
The City of Hampton is actively enhancing community well-being and public services through a series of recent initiatives and policy adjustments. The City Council recently deferred a vote on a proposed ordinance concerning camping on public property, aiming to seek broader consensus and uphold the city's compassionate values while addressing community concerns. Hampton also recently rejected its inaccurate federal designation as a "sanctuary jurisdiction," clarifying its policies and commitment to the rule of law. To bolster public safety and behavioral health support, the City's Fire and Rescue launched the new Community Assistance Response (CARES) Team, which pairs mental health clinicians with emergency responders. Furthermore, a new Shoreline Operations Station at Buckroe Beach has been established to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment with a visible police presence.
Camping on public property
On June 12, 2025, the City Council deferred a vote on a proposed ordinance that would prohibit camping and storage on public property. The ordinance aims to make it unlawful to reside, sleep, or store items on city-owned land, including parks, streets, and school facilities.
While a violation would be classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, the proposal mandates that verbal warnings and information about alternative accommodations, such as homeless shelters or housing assistance programs, must be provided before charges are filed. Mayor Jimmy Gray indicated that this postponement allows for further discussions with various stakeholders to reach a consensus that addresses neighborhood and business concerns while upholding Hampton's compassionate community values.
The Council plans to discuss the ordinance again on August 13 and hold a final vote on September 24. The Supreme Court's decision in Johnson v. Grants Pass affirmed that the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit enforcement of anti-camping laws, offering localities a tool for rules and encouraging outreach.
Label of sanctuary city rebuked
Furthermore, the City of Hampton has formally challenged its recent inclusion on a U.S. Department of Homeland Security list of "sanctuary jurisdictions," asserting that the classification is "inaccurate and unsupported by city policy or practice". City officials contacted regional Homeland Security representatives for an explanation of the designation, which has since been removed from government websites.
Hampton officials state that the city has not adopted any policies identifying itself as a "sanctuary city" and does not deny U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to its jail facilities, being part of a regional system that houses ICE detainees.
Mayor Gray conveyed the city's firm stance in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, reaffirming Hampton's commitment to the rule of law and fostering a safe community.
View a copy of Mayor Gray’s letter on the Hampton City website
Community Assistance Response (CARES) Team
To better respond to behavioral health crises, the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue, collaborating with the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board and Sentara Health, has launched a new Community Assistance Response (CARES) Team. This pilot program dispatches a behavioral health crisis clinician alongside a fire division emergency medical responder to calls involving non-violent individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
The primary objective is to reduce police involvement in such situations, de-escalate immediate stresses, and connect individuals with appropriate care and services. The CARES Team operates weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with potential for expanded hours based on operational data. This initiative aligns with the Marcus Alert legislation, which provides guidance for responses to mental health-related emergency calls.
Police operations station at Buckroe Beach
To ensure an enjoyable and safe environment at Buckroe Beach throughout the summer, the Hampton Police Division (HPD), in partnership with the Hopeful Hampton collaborative, has launched a new Shoreline Operations Station. This pilot program establishes a clear and consistent police presence, facilitating public interaction with officers and deterring disruptive behavior.
The station, located between the playground and the main performing stage, will also serve as a site to process charges for law violations. Police Chief Jimmie Wideman underscored the importance of parental cooperation, stating that criminal enforcement measures will be applied when laws are disregarded, and parents will be held accountable for delinquent youth behavior.
Commonwealth's Attorney Anton Bell added that this initiative directly addresses concerns about disorderly conduct, especially involving unsupervised young adults, to restore safety. The station began operating Memorial Day weekend and will maintain daily hours from June 16 through Labor Day.
A Hampton Daily Contributor produced this post using AI and the following sources:
City Council defers vote on ordinance to prohibit camping
Hampton rejects inaccurate label as 'sanctuary jurisdiction'
New CARES Team will respond to behavioral health calls
New Buckroe station creates a visible presence at the beach