Fremont enacted a strict anti-camping ordinance in February 2025 that criminalizes camping on public property—carrying fines up to $1,000 and six months in jail—yet no arrests have been made. It's mostly used as a deterrent. Meanwhile, shelter capacity remains limited, with only ~100 beds for over 800 unhoused residents.

This ordinance isn’t just words on paper — it affects people I care about. I have a friend who’s been living out of their car ever since they lost their job during the pandemic. I bring them food and blankets when I can, but under this law, I could technically be fined or even arrested for simply trying to help. It makes me feel like compassion is being criminalized. 

Fremont says the law is about safety, but with only about 100 shelter beds for hundreds of unhoused residents, there’s nowhere for most people to go. Punishing them — or the people who care enough to offer support — doesn’t solve the problem. It just adds fear and suffering to people already struggling. That’s why I want to stand up and say: helping others should never be treated like a crime.