Klinker votes against SB 285, believes Indiana should expand existing services

Today, State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) voted no on Senate Bill 285. The bill makes the repeated and unauthorized use of state land for public camping a Class C misdemeanor. Class C misdemeanors in Indiana result in up to 60 days in jail or a fine of up to $500. Each local law enforcement agency would be required to report the number of arrests made to the state police department.

Klinker issued the following statement:

“I believe we should help those who are less fortunate, not penalize them. They need our compassion, not our judgment or incarceration. 

“Indiana’s goal should be to connect these individuals with services that help them get back on their feet. Many of these people need mental health treatment and rehabilitative services. We should not be arresting people or giving them fines they cannot afford, which will draw them deeper into the cycle of poverty.

“Tippecanoe County is blessed with great people and great organizations, such as the Lafayette Transitional Housing Center (LTHC) and Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM). We are also very fortunate to have responsible, effective law enforcement, and I worry this will overburden them. Our time and money would be much better spent on our existing, life-saving organizations within our communities.”