City Councilors in Brockton passed an ordinance to penalize people experiencing homelessness with $200 fines for camping outside, and $50 for loitering.

With a 7-4 vote in favor of the encampment ordinance, councilors took advantage of a recent Supreme Court decision that allows local governments to enforce bans on sleeping in public places. The loitering ordinance passed 9-2.

Councilor Jeffrey Thompson, one of the supporters of the camping ordinance, said the Supreme Court ruling has “empowered cities like Brockton to regain control” of their spaces. He said the ordinance was drafted in collaboration with local officials, first responders and the district attorney’s office.

“Our residents are fearful when they walk by an encampment on their way to work or on their way to school,” Thompson said during Tuesday’s Brockton City Council meeting. “Business owners have often told me that the encampment issue downtown is affecting their business, and that some of them are considering moving out of Brockton.”

Councilor Jean Bradley Derenoncourt said the camping ordinance goes too far.

“This is not what was recommended. ... The idea of charging them a fee was not part of it, the idea of arresting them was not part of it,” Bradley Derenoncourt said. “For people wondering why I am defending the unhoused — I’m not defending them. I could be homeless too. But there is a way of doing it.”

He also said he was concerned about how a criminal charge will affect people’s ability to find housing in the future.

“They’re going to have records. Now they will be unqualified to even apply for housing anywhere by virtue of their records,” Bradley Derenoncourt said.

Addressing criticism that the ordinance would “criminalize homelessness,” Thompson said the city does what it can to support people in need of shelter and social services.

“This ordinance does not target a class of people. It targets unlawful behavior,” he said. “And it will be enforced humanely and respectfully.”