The encampment sprang up nearly a year ago on the manicured Harbor Walk, next to a playground, just across the South River from a brewery, in the heart of downtown.
SALEM — Weeks of debate surrounding an anti-camping ordinance ended with a near unanimous vote, but not before an important consideration demanded by advocates for the unhoused drew broad support.
The city is developing an ordinance, based on the one used in Boston, that would ban camping but only if there's a place to put the tent city occupants.