DES MOINES, Iowa — At a Monday Des Moines City Council Meeting the council voted 5-2 to amend the camping ban ordinance to remove exemptions for the fines issued.

Gerrie Hadley, a homeless resident of Des Moines, said that the amended ordinance feels punishing.

“I feel like I’ve been punished enough, you know, don’t punish me further. I try to follow the law and, you know, I do the best I can to, you know, you know, make a mess or or then I don’t vandalize anything. But I do understand there’s a lot of people down here to do. So I understand where the city’s coming from to a point,” Hadley said.

Nina Rickman, a volunteer at Urban Bike Food Ministry, which feeds Des Moines’ homeless population every week, spoke at Monday’s city council meeting.

Rickman said she decided to speak to the council because she sees the difficulties the camping ordinance has caused.

“They still could potentially end up with a ticket because they’re sleeping outside. So, yeah, just every week we go out, we see people, we hear their stories and we know there’s a lot more people than there are beds available right now that are living on houses, sleeping outdoors, and so it’s just a situation where I knew it was trouble for the people that we see every week,” Rickman said.

Rob Barron, a candidate for City Council Ward 1, said that he thinks the Camping Ban Ordinance doesn’t help solve the city’s problems.

“All that does is make it easier to fine people. And that again, that’s counterproductive to trying to get people in safe and stable housing.” Barron said.