"No camping" law goes to Outreach Court

"I'm not really concerned about that file." — Judge Francine Vero

Bryan Browne, seated at right, in Judge Francine Vero’s Outreach Court, Aug. 26, 2025.

A second case related to the city’s new “No Camping” law went before Judge Francine Vero’s Outreach court Aug. 26.

“I’m assuming that will be dismissed,” Vero said of the “No Camping” violation issued to Bryan Browne, a man who tells “extraordinarily true” tales from a chair on Broadway. He said he was ticketed for sitting on a chair on the Broadway sidewalk with a sign inviting people to donate to him and hear a story.

Vero indicated that two other charges, both felonies that might be lessened to misdemeanors, are more of a concern.

“On the two other dockets, the two felony drug charges, I'm going to release him to the supervision of RISE on those penal law charges, but not the camping ordinance,” Vero said, speaking with Saratoga County Public Defender Yannick Clayton. Clayton and Browne agreed to the decision. RISE is the nonprofit housing and support services provider in the city. Browne is homeless.

“I’m not really concerned about that file,” Vero said of the camping violation.

The Dispatch has learned that another person