LIBERTY — Residents gathered at the Village of Liberty municipal building last Thursday to weigh in on a proposed local law that would prohibit camping or sleeping in village parks, on public sidewalks, streets, alleyways, or other public rights of way.

Local law #7-2025, introduced by the Village Board, comes amid rising concerns over homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in Sullivan County. Supporters of the law say it is necessary to address public health and safety, while opponents argue it fails to tackle the root causes of the problem.

Longtime Liberty resident Mark Doland spoke in support of the proposal, thanking the board for taking action. “I just wanted to say thank you very much for at least doing something, rather than nothing and ignoring,” he said.

Others, however, questioned how the law would affect those living outdoors. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned about services other than just clearing them out?” one resident asked.

In response, Mayor Joan Stoddard said the law would give officials a tool to connect individuals with help. “This gives us the ability to contact services and get them assistance if needed,” she explained. Still, many attendees raised concerns about the limited availability of such services in the county.

Some residents urged the board to focus more on long-term solutions. Anne Hart called on trustees to push Sullivan County to move forward with the long-discussed Gateway Housing Project. Town Supervisor Frank DeMayo echoed that sentiment, saying, “When the county discusses this, and when a project comes up you’ve got to come out and support them if they’ve got a real viable project.”

Several residents described the proposed law as a “band-aid” on a much larger issue and asked the board to consider delaying a decision until more comprehensive solutions could be put in place.

Sullivan County Legislators Catherine Scott and Luis Alvarez, who attended the meeting, urged residents to put pressure on county lawmakers to support affordable housing initiatives. Scott emphasized that outside funding will be key to moving projects forward. “The state allows for programs like this through grant funding, and the county can’t afford to build a facility on its own,” she said. “That grant funding is crucial for us to get this project up off the ground.”

Those directly affected by homelessness also spoke out, raising questions about what the law could mean for them. One individual, who has struggled with disabilities, criticized the county for failing to provide adequate resources.

The Village Board is expected to continue reviewing public input before making a final decision on the proposed law, which would take effect immediately upon the filing with the NY Secretary of State.