[MissoulaGov] Committee Update 9-30-09

[Bob Jaffe]

Greetings,

In Public Safety this morning we took up the Pedestrian Interference Ordinance.
http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2185
The existing ordinance restricts people from blocking the sidewalk.  The amended language we were considering would also make it illegal to sleep or lie down on the sidewalk even if you are not interfering with pedestrians.  I moved to amend the language to say that people could not lie or sleep on the sidewalk within 12 feet of the entrance to a business.  I thought this was a good compromise that addresses the issue of people feeling impeded from entering a business but does not make it illegal for homeless people to exist in public. The room was full of downtown business owners who really want us to pass an ordinance that will make the homeless people disappear. I sympathize with them. Retail is really challenging. There is a lot of competition and little things can win or lose customers. I do my best to support our downtown businesses, both on council and with my wallet. But I'm not going to vote to criminalize homelessness.