April 21, 2025

This letter was sent to the Woonsocket City Council from the ACLU of Rhode Island and the R.I. Housing Advocacy Project, expressing our deep concern and distress over a proposed anti-encampment ordiance. The proposed ordinance would impose a $250 fine on second offenders; provide for the destruction of an individual’s personal property after 72 hours after police attempt to notify individuals; and the impoundment of personal property, which assumably requires individuals who already have extremely limited resources to pay a fee to regain their possessions.