The Village Of Ashwaubenon is at it again. The leaders of this municipality can’t stop targeting the weakest of our citizens.

I’m talking about a recently proposed loitering ordinance that reads very much like the camping ordinance rejected by leaders outside the village and the public. This bad policy would have targeted homeless families, veterans, and even the food service and hospitality workers that make Ashwaubenon’s retail hub possible to begin with (story HERE).

And Aswaubenon leaders are pursuing these bad policies through a loophole with Green Bay Metro in an opportunistic and disingenuous fashion.

Correspondence blames isolated incidents by individuals taking place in the bus shelter as reason to pass this poorly written ordinance. They see the actions of the few as a reason to punish the many.

And the ordinance is poorly written.

It uses vague language such as “linger”, “saunter”, and “hanging around”. This broad language makes it easier for Ashwaubenon to target people they don’t want in their community.

The fact that it uses Green Bay Metro bus stops is especially concerning because riders miss buses all of the time. Who is to say that law enforcement won’t force a legitimate rider trying to get home because they have to spend an hour there?

Ashwaubenon and Green Bay residents should reject this ordinance that is trying to be rushed through in a manner that is not transparent and even fully visibility of the public.

And elected officials in Ashwaubenon must understand that they’re actions continue to come across as cruel and tone deaf.