LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A group of Louisville Metro Council members are pursuing an ordinance that would increase fines for many homeless people living on the street. 

The proposal could impact people like Pony Morris, who lived on the streets of Louisville for several years until he recently found a place to live.  

“It’s a struggle,” he said. “It’s a struggle either way that you go. I mean, I struggle now and I still work and I still got a good job.”

Morris showed up to support advocates for people who are homeless as they protested the ordinance before a council committee meeting Thursday.

“It only takes a mere second for me to be back out here on the streets, because my heart is always going to be out here with these guys,” he said.

The ordinance fines anyone $200 per day for camping in public parks. It also fines anyone up to $1,000 per day for storing personal property in a public space.

“My personal belongings are mine, you know what I’m saying?” Morris said. “It doesn’t matter as long as I have them in my area. What does it matter?”

Several other groups joined the rally against the ordinance, including Donny Greene with Feed Louisville, a group that provides hot meals for people who are homeless.

“We’re talking about further criminalizing the most vulnerable population in our city,” he said.

Supporters of the ordinance, including Metro Council President David James, say it would give the public better access to right-of-ways, and make the city safer.  

“We have citizens, many of which are in a compromised situation already, that cannot let their children go outside because of camping on the sidewalk in front of their house,” he said during Thursday’s committee meeting. “Because syringes are laying there on the sidewalk in front of their house.”

Councilman Bill Hollander said he opposes it.  “Criminalizing conduct that can’t be avoided and that doesn’t affect anyone else’s rights isn’t necessary,” he said. “In fact, it’s cruel.”