Hampton’s new homelessness enforcement plan includes softer penalties

HAMPTON — A stakeholder group told City Council Wednesday it has come up with a new plan to ban camping in public places that officials say takes a more compassionate approach to addressing homelessness than previous versions. Sleeping or leaving unattended property will still be prohibited in public places such as parks under the new plan, but law enforcement officers will prioritize voluntary compliance and relocation to legal areas or shelters. They will not enforce any penalty without first notifying the person, offering service and coordinating with outreach workers to offer alternative services or sleeping places. Those penalties will also be reduced from the original proposal....