Kevin Coleman, Ross County Reporter, contributed to this story
CHILLICOTHE — Mayor Luke Feeney has vetoed Ordinance 16-25, the controversial “Anti-Camping” legislation passed by City Council earlier this month, citing serious concerns from the Chillicothe Police Department and a growing wave of public opposition.
In a letter addressed to Council President Kevin Shoemaker and council members, Feeney emphasized that while he supports efforts to address health and safety issues in public spaces, the ordinance would create more enforcement problems than it solves.
“This ordinance creates serious enforcement challenges for our Police Department, places undue burden on our officers, and in some ways creates more problems than solutions,” Feeney wrote.
The ordinance, passed in a 5-3 vote on April 14, 2025, aimed to regulate camping on public property by individuals experiencing homelessness. But opposition mounted quickly. During the public session, Reverend Terry Williams delivered a passionate address denouncing the legislation as inhumane and legally questionable, promising a referendum effort to overturn the decision. Williams criticized the ordinance as an “unfunded mandate” for the police and a move that lacks compassion during Holy Week.
Councilman Gregg McKeever, who supported the ordinance, presented a detailed timeline defending the legislative process and denounced what he described as harassment and doxxing of council members by opponents. He reiterated that the measure was meant to address unsanitary conditions in public spaces and to ensure safety and access for all citizens.
However, Chillicothe Police Chief Ron Meyers, in a March 24 letter to council, outlined significant concerns about the ordinance’s enforceability. He highlighted issues such as unclear language, lack of guidance for officers, and the expectation that law enforcement handle and store individuals’ property—tasks not traditionally within their purview.
Mayor Feeney echoed these concerns, stating that council failed to provide the necessary resources or training for the department to fulfill the ordinance’s mandates.
“Our officers are not equipped, or meant, to act as a campsite or hazardous waste cleanup crew,” Feeney wrote. “We need to support them with clear, enforceable laws—and not put them in a position that compromises their mission or creates unnecessary problems or risks.”
The ordinance’s future remains uncertain. While Feeney has exercised his first veto in 10 years as mayor, City Council holds the power to override it with a two-thirds majority vote. In the meantime, Feeney expressed hope for a more collaborative effort to find solutions that work for all residents, especially those experiencing homelessness.
“I heard opposition to this legislation, but I also heard a willingness to work together to craft solutions that address the root of the problem,” he said.
A referendum training, organized by opponents of the ordinance, is scheduled for April 21.
