Posted on 06/08/2010 6:49:19 PM PDT by SmithL
The Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 this afternoon to reject Mayor Gavin Newsom's proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to sit or lie on public sidewalks during certain hours.
''The case for this legislation simply has not been made,'' said Supervisor David Campos.
Defeat was expected, and the mayor already has said that he would use his executive power to put his measure before voters in November.
The idea sprang from frustrated residents and merchants in the Haight-Ashbury who are fed up with people congregating in front of their homes and businesses, menacing passersby.
Critics, including homeless advocates and civil rights organizations, said the proposal would unfairly criminalize day laborers and homeless people.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
You know....Republicans should march in and defend the rights of these poor homeless folks. Every American ought to have the right to kneel, sit or lie on concrete....even homeless folks.
What, a sanctuary city and ya can’t lie down on the sidewalk?
I actually was not too happy with the sit/lie law myself. It is already illegal to block the sidewalk. I am a little nervous about a law that would make it illegal for me to sit if I have to wait for a ride for a while, or lie down if I feel suddenly ill, etc.
There are existing laws to fight vagrancy that they don’t actually enforce, so. . .
Same with anti-panhandling laws. They make me uncomfortable. What if I lost my wallet and find myself needing to ask to borrow a cell phone or a bus fare? This is not my habit, but I think you should be free to do that in a public square.
Many years ago SF was a nice place to visit. Highly ranked by tourist. Now homeless bums poop and pee in the doorways and you have to step over it. The city council believes they have that right.
You know you are in crazyland when Newsom is considered a voice of reason. And by the way, what ever happened to “loitering”? Surely it’s on the SFPD books.
““loitering”? Surely it’s on the SFPD books.”
It is. So is public urination and defecation, verbal assault, panhandling in the middle of street medians, etc. They don’t enforce these laws, but they want yet more on the books.
Then it sounds like blame lies squarely at the feet of the police and their chief, who are derelict in the discharge of their lawful duties.
“police and their chief, who are derelict in the discharge of their lawful duties.”
They won’t even arrest people for public sex or public nudity, that I have heard.
Perhaps some will, but I have seen police stand idly by as homosexual men wander by on documentaries. Also seen photos of public homosexual sex, cops there, no charges filed.
Im 1998 my Lady and I went to SF for a visit to see the historical sites. We were across the street from the US Mint when we saw in a door way a “homeless” person taking a “dump”!
We never went back! NEVER!
Boycott “The City of the Gay Bay “!
See my Post # 10.
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