The homeless problem in our community is not an easy one to solve but the City of Sparks is starting to address the issue.

Friday, April 13th a fire broke out near the Grand Sierra Resort on the Sparks side of the river. Sparks Fire Department says they have not been able to determine the cause of the fire. The City believes it is incidents like this one is why they passed an ordinance banning unregulated camping alongside the river on March 28th.

“Post signs which could equate to a verbal warning component... up to physically making an arrest if that is appropriate,” said Adam Mayberry, City of Sparks.

Timothy Henson is homeless living in a tent down by the river and is not happy with that policy.

“Well it seems woefully unconceived,” Henson said. “A sign that tells people to get out does not tell people where to go. What are you going to do with the people that come out of here?”

The former medical technician says many of the homeless have food stamps but what they need is help to get a job.

“I’d say in lieu of a banana and a water why not give them a bus pass so they can go down to the temp agencies down by the welfare department there by the Peppermill. Pretty far walk from here,” Henson said.

If the City of Sparks does decide to start cracking on homeless down by the river, Reno might not be an option for Henson.

“I doubt it, I wouldn’t because the Reno side would arrest you immediately,” he said.

Mayberry said a policy on how to enforce the ordinance is in the works.

“The notion of just kicking somebody out of public property is not that simple. These folks they have their own personal belongings. We can't confiscate their belongings. Fundamentally those that are and have been living along the river, have rights as well,” Mayberry said.

Henson hopes a compromise can be reached.

“You wouldn’t want the police coming along chopping down your tent at midnight and kicking you out into the snowstorm any more than people here will and it is something that could just happen to anyone. So I guess think kindness first,” Henson said.

One solution being offered by joggers and the homeless down by the river is adding portable toilets. Mayberry said the City is not opposed to the idea but would be concerned about future health issues that solution might present in the future.