As Criminalization Spreads Nationwide, Local Residents Show What Real Solidarity Looks Like
In Madison, Wisconsin, community members have come to the defense of their homeless neighbors after they faced harassment while sleeping in a local park.
On three separate occasions, individuals identifying themselves as Wisconsin DNR park rangers have approached the group of 3 to 6 people staying in the park, attempting to intimidate them into leaving. The group of homeless people was told that if they didn’t leave the area by the park’s closing time at 10 pm, they may be issued citations or fines of up to $200 per day.
The Law That Makes Sleeping in a Park a Crime
The basis for these threatened fines is in Madison General Ordinance 8.265, which prohibits lodging in parks.
According to the text of the ordinance, “it shall be unlawful for any person to lodge, to live in for a time, or to take habitation in any portion of a public park within the City of Madison. Evidence of lodging shall include, but not be limited to, bedrolls, mattresses, blankets, cooking utensils, clothing, and other personal belongings.”
Furthermore, “any person who violates this section shall be subject to a forfeiture of up to two hundred dollars ($200). Each and every day during which a violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate violation.”
Who Were the ‘Rangers’ Ordering Campers to Leave?
Further investigation into the identities of these self-identified park rangers has only raised more questions. They reportedly identified themselves as Wisconsin DNR park rangers. However, a spokesperson from the DNR told local news reporters that their rangers would not have been involved in an enforcement action of this type, and that the officials in charge of enforcement inside a city or county park would have come from the Dane County Land and Water Resource Development, or the LWRD, for short.
Following that lead, reporters spoke to a representative from the LWRD, who said that county officials were not involved and that the rangers on the scene were likely from the City of Madison Parks Department.
Madison Parks Superintendent Terrence Thompson informed reporters that all City of Madison Park Rangers are trained to clearly identify themselves as such, carry ID badges that must be presented upon request, and are outfitted with white Chevrolet Silverado Lightnings that clearly display City of Madison Park Ranger decals on the front, rear, and doors of the vehicle. He did not say whether the people trying to move homeless people out of the park were Madison Park Rangers or not, though he did acknowledge that engaging with individuals found camping in the parks and informing them of the rules and consequences is a part of Madison Park Rangers’ duties.
Neighbors Step In Where the City Fails
After being told to move three separate times, a small group of unobtrusive campers in Madison finally drew community attention. When they were threatened with citations and fines yet again—this time on September 10th, just after noon—residents decided enough was enough.
By 9:30 that evening, about 20 community members had gathered in support of the campers by the bridge over the bike path, determined to ensure the campers wouldn’t face further harassment from park rangers or anyone else.
The gathering took place in a spot that’s frequently swept and kept clean by Adam, one of the homeless men who frequently sleeps in the area. He also offers free bottled water and other knick-knacks for passing cyclists or walkers to pick up on their way past.
Not knowing for sure whether all the people who made contact with the group were really park rangers or if these frequent approaches might culminate in a police raid, housed Madisonians decided to use their presence and privilege as a shield for their more vulnerable neighbors. By simply being present and showing tangible support, they made this group of campers less of an easy target for anyone who might want to mess with them.
With the crowd in place and lively as the park’s closing hour drew nearer, no one quite knew what the night would have in store for them. Thankfully, 10 pm came and went without any further enforcement actions. Feeling successful, the crowd slowly started to disperse by 10:30, with several people promising to come back to check on the campers in the early hours of the morning and throughout the next day.
The campers were able to pass a relatively peaceful night without any further interaction with police or park rangers. All it took was an hour of 20 people’s time and the reminder to authorities that there are people watching who care about what happens to the people that the city would much rather sweep under the rug or let fall through the cracks.
Madisonians Care, Even When Madison Doesn’t
This story is a reminder of how small actions can make a big difference. Even when you don’t have any extra money or resources to give, your time, attention, and presence may be enough all on their own.
Although city leaders in Madison may be trying to push their unhoused neighbors out of sight and out of mind, and punish them simply for being in public parks, many Madisonians clearly feel otherwise. Community members have stepped up to defend their neighbors and push back against policies that treat poverty as a crime.
Even as homelessness is becoming increasingly criminalized in Madison and across the nation, people in communities everywhere are recognizing how cruel and counterproductive these measures truly are. They’re organizing, showing compassion, and proving that local action still matters.
It may seem that the state has all the power, but that power comes from the people. We are the source, and when we move together, we can move mountains. Real change begins with a handful of people who care enough to act.