Amsterdam mayor wants to scrap fines for sleeping outdoors

Amsterdam's Mayor Femke Halsema proposes scrapping fines for sleeping outdoors, despite local opposition. Plantage residents have launched a petition to prevent this, according to AT5. Currently, sleeping on the street or in parks is technically illegal, but no fines have been issued in the past year. Halsema deems fining homeless people sleeping outdoors "shameful" and claims the measure is ineffective.

The mayor aims to make the policy official, despite concerns about increased nuisance and lack of official action. Plantage resident Dennis de Vreede fears the policy will lead to more people sleeping outdoors, causing more issues and debt problems. Halsema acknowledges fines are pointless but still wants to scrap them. Bianca Koster of the Rainbow Group agrees fining has little impact and suggests addressing the root cause: providing more shelters, care, and housing.