San Francisco voters approve ban on sidewalk loitering (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.)

[The Straight Story]

San Francisco voters approve ban on sidewalk loitering

Reporting from San Francisco — A polarizing San Francisco measure that bans sitting or lying on public sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. was approved by more than 53% of voters this week and takes effect immediately.

The city now joins a host of others — including Los Angeles — with some sort of sidewalk ban that aims to discourage loitering, although San Francisco's is among the most sweeping.

The measure stemmed from resident and merchant concerns in the Haight Street neighborhood, where values of love and tolerance have been edged out by aggressive panhandling by homeless youths and frustration by a growing cadre of well-off homeowners.

The owner of a Haight Street skateboard shop, a self-described progressive who has suffered harassment by youths blocking his store entrance or demanding change, was among the key organizers in support of the ban.

He and other backers maintain that police will use the new tool to get problem youths to move on without having to cite many.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/05/local/la-me-sidewalkban-20101105

[marmar]

1. "will use the new tool to get problem youths to move on without having to cite many"

It starts off that way, then.......

[WingDinger]

2. This EXACT bullshit is what lead to the Ocean Pacific riots in Huntington Beach.

Culminating in their turning fire hoses on everyone on the streets for the 4th of july, and confiscating all bicycles without registration, and auctioning. DUMBASSES.

[JVS]

3. If they don't want loiterers, why don't they move their stores to the mall where they belong?

[Roma]

4. O Puleeaase

The Haight had the "values of love and tolerance" for about 2 months one summer over 40 years ago, until the pimps, pushers and thugs moved in.

Thems some real thick rose colored glasses ya got there latimes.

[RandySF]

5. I don't know if this is the best idea

But in the Haight, we're not talking some homeless guys sitting around or young people shit-chatting. There IS a problem with kids who wander in from other parts of the Bay Area who sit around all day, get drunk and verbally (sometimes physically) harass pedestrians.