[DaveMSmith]

UPDATE: Archdiocese Apologizes, Will Remove Anti-Homeless Sprinkler System

[ansel12]

It is over.

After inspecting the cathedral, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection filed a notice of violation against the archdiocese and the cathedral, giving them 15 days to remove the system. In response, the archdiocese has taken out a plumbing permit to remove the entire watering system, which releases hundreds of gallons of water every night.

[Vendome]

Holee Cow!!!

They have murder holes and can afford to waste water during this horrible drought?

[soycd]

Where do I send money to keep the water running?

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

What’s the problem? The sign says ‘No Trespassing’, the shelter is full, so GET OUT! It is not like California is especially cold in the winter. Those who don’t make it inside, can they not find another shelter?

[A CA Guy]

Removing the smell of urine I would think.

[Timber Rattler]

I’m pretty sure that Jesus disapproves of this.

[Pollster1]

I find this disturbing in a church.

If the best they can do is to harass people who will still nap there for a half hour at a time, I am not impressed with their efforts. Bus tickets to somewhere that they can find shelter or even a job? More creative efforts to help these people get off the streets? Better financial planning within the Church (less support for illegals?) so they have the money to help Americans who are in need? This watering is the wrong answer, as is allowing the homeless to urinate on the church entryways, and they should make an effort to do better.

[Kaled]

If they had any PR savvy they’d tell the press that they’re providing free showers to the homeless.

[Talisker]

NIMCA

(Not In My Church Alcove)

[lastchance]

How long has the system been there? I guarantee the outrage is not about the system alone but is a way to claim the Archbishop is being a hypocrite by demanding teachers in the Catholic schools follow Catholic teaching on faith and morals.

[zbogwan2]

But he says they keep coming back, and most seem to have serious substance abuse issues.
These type of societies dregs urinate, defecate and defile the churches entrances. Same makes it very unpalatable, so to speak, to attend services there.

[PAR35]

Probably the first shower some of those hippies have had since they showed up in 1968.

[RobbyS]

his sprinkler system in alcoves near our back doorways was installed approximately two years ago, after learning from city resources that this kind of system was being commonly used in the Financial District, as a safety, security and cleanliness measure to avoid the situation where needles, feces and other dangerous items were regularly being left in these hidden doorways. The problem was particularly dangerous because students and elderly people regularly pass these locations on their way to school and mass every day. ------------------------------------------------------------------- In other word, the business guys can do this but the Church cannot.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

That is water wastage! Call the EPA!