From Street Roots’ blog:

August 1, 2008

On Tuesday July 27, Street Roots interviewed 27 individuals experiencing homelessness and two canvassers on Portland street corners.

Fifteen of the 27 individuals had been given verbal or written warnings or citations for the sidewalk obstruction ordinance. Twelve of those interviewed say they have also been warned by some form of private security or building owners not to sit on the sidewalks. Almost everyone Street Roots talked to had been given a park exclusion notice in the last 30 days – many of which came from Portland Patrol Inc.

Street Roots will be spending two more days on the streets this weekend and next week interviewing individuals on the streets about their experience with the sidewalk obstruction ordinance. Interviews will be published in next weeks Street Roots coming out on August 8th.

The notes on the sit-lie (AKA sidewalk obstruction) law are shocking enough, and are further evidence that the city’s talk on this law not targeting the homeless don’t match the city’s walk. But what really grabbed my attention was the parks exclusion bit: Almost everyone of the 27 Street Roots spoke to had received a parks exclusion notice in the last month? Geez.

6 replies on “Sit-Lie Ordinance: Totally Not Targeting the Homeless (NOT!)”

  1. the mayor-elect STILL has not met with people representing the homeless after 2 MONTHS.
    it is clear he is part of the jack-boot mindset that is the antithesis of our beloved Portland culture.
    IF YOU ARE NOT WITH US, YOU ARE AGAINST US
    PROTEST SAM ADAMS AND HIS OFFICE OF APPOINTMENT
    “Portland: The City That Works For The Man”
    should be painted on every city vehicle now.

  4. I can’t believe they haven’t built a proper shelter for these kids and people downtown to seek refuge and help. Why is it that people tend to think Affordable housing is a dirty word or homeless. When it comes down to it we are all just people all living on one planet.

    People have been seeing this going on for quite some time . Why are they still ignoring it hoping that is will go away?

  5. Talk to Dumpster (see this week’s Letters).

    He’s too busy obsessing about a bit of petit venality to concern himself with the health and welfare of his fellow humans.

    I remain your humble servant,

    Jacomus

  6. Jesus Jacomus!
    What is your obsession with me? I’ve actively been involved in trying to put a monkey wrench in the private security guards operations you jackass. I do shit. I don’t just comment about it. I totally disagree with the sit-lie ordinance. I also disagree with private security guards having any authority whatsoever! Especially being able to carry a gun.
    Why would you care about health and welfare issues? You, Jacomus, think everyone is “essentially corrupt”. What kind of hope or direct action can you bring to the table Mr. Negativity? That said, thanks for bringing more attention to the corrupt hotel staff/town car driver issue. Your a charmer. xxoo

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