Tent City Growing In Amarillo

A growing tent city in downtown Amarillo has officials considering a ban on camping in public areas.

The encampment began about nine months ago with a few dozen people under an overpass and being helped by donations from Faith City Ministries. Ministries director Jena Taylor says more people began showing up demanding services and have been harassing donors to the point where donations have ceased. She says some campers are stealing and getting drunk.

The Amarillo Globe News says police say the property belongs to the state and the Texas Department of Transportation would have to complain before any action could be taken against campers. Amarillo City Attorney Marcus Norris gave city commissioners Tuesday a draft ordinance that would bar camping on public property within the city limits.