The Supreme Court’s decision in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson will save lives by allowing local governments and law enforcement agencies to determine how best to respond to homelessness in their own communities. In many cases, that will mean intervening in homeless encampments that are dangerous both to the people living in them and nearby communities.

The overreach of the federal court system into local homeless policy over the last six years has proven disastrous in the Western United States. Encampments have been allowed to grow while state and local governments have been left without recourse to intervene. This ruling will prevent future misguided attempts to strip communities of important tools to help homeless individuals access the critical care and resources they need to keep the streets clear of encampments so communities can thrive as well.