City of Wenatchee Strengthens Nuisance Code

The City of Wenatchee strengthened it's Nuisance Code after a unanimous vote by the city council last week.

City Attorney Steve Smith said they recently used the nuisance code on a case involving homeless encampments on Worthen Street.

Smith said, "One of the things we need to do is clarify the definition of a chronic nuisance, and then also make it real clear that a first violation of our chronic nuisance code is a Class 1 infraction. Any subsequent infraction would be a misdemeanor."

Council also discussed the fact that homeless encampments have been shifting around the city. Members identified locations like the Employment Security Department, Olds Station, and the parking lot of the Convention Center as areas that might need to be cleaned up.