Ninth Circuit denies Boise appeal for re-hearing

BOISE — The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled once again on the City of Boise's city camping ordinances, denying a re-hearing of the matter.

Three judges heard the case back in September, the decision of the case would ban the city from barring people from sleeping on the streets. The city petitioned for a re-hearing, which was denied on Monday. The decision doesn't mean it's the end of the road for the city, it just means the case will be litigated further. The city says, as it stands, the ordinances are still in effect, but ticketing is used sparingly.

"We do not write tickets for those who are camping in the city unless there's room in the shelter," said City of Boise spokesman Mike Journee. "When there's room in the shelter, we encourage them to go and take advantage of that."

The City says talks with the City Council and Mayor Dave Bieter are underway to figure out how to proceed. Of the options available, there lies a possibility of appealing the case to the Supreme Court of the United States.