In a crowded city auditorium on Thursday, Sept. 3, impassioned citizens of Colorado Springs stood up to voice their opinions on the proposed “Sit-Lie” Ordinance.
Councilmen Tom Strand led this public meeting to discuss the ordinance, which would make it illegal for people to sit or lie in the sidewalks or streets of the downtown area during daytime hours. He was met with a list of over 30 speakers, most of whom objected to the ordinance, largely on the basis that it targets the homeless.
To open the meeting, Strand explained that the ordinance addresses the public right of way and citizens’ freedom to walk anywhere they desire. People loitering on sidewalks, he feels, threatens the safety of pedestrians and inhibits downtown business.
Strand foresaw public objection to the stiff penalties printed in the draft of the ordinance.
“Can we change this fine from $2500 to $500? Yes,” said Strand. “Can we change this 189 days in prison to 10 days or no time? Yes. There will also be a thirty-day grace period before anyone is cited. We want [citizens] to feel like [they’re] part of this.”
Albert Gonzalez worried about the financial impact of the ordinance and received applause when he asked about the cost that this would impose on the taxpayer.
“Will the downtown area need to be patrolled more?” Gonzalez asked. “I don’t want my taxes spent on keeping someone incarcerated because he was lying on the sidewalk.”
Dianne Webb, a merchant downtown, condemned the council for lacking compassion.
“The real problem is that all of the homeless centers are located downtown,” said Webb. “What is truly needed is a center with these services away from the downtown area with housing as the first priority. How can we expect [the homeless population] to hang out anywhere else?”
Some, however, defended the ordinance. Lane Williams, owner of Lane Mitchell Jewelry Store next to 7-Eleven, says that the ordinance deals not with the homeless, but a “respect problem.” Williams, who grew up homeless himself and built his business from nothing, reports losses of clientele due to the large groups of boisterous people outside his shop.
“I’ve been dealing with this crap for years,” said Williams. “I have four female employees, one of them carries a handgun now. As soon as they come out of the store they are harassed. People who don’t like this ordinance haven’t come and spent a day down at my store.”
Colorado College students also have conflicting opinions about the ordinance.
“I feel like people need to recognize the right or wrong argument,” said Padah Vang, a first-year. “I don’t think ‘Sit-Lie’ is solving anything. Instead of that, provide more spaces for the homeless people.”
Joann Bandales had the opposite reaction. “Personally, when I walk downtown and I see all those people, I feel intimidated,” she said. “I understand they need a place but it makes sense that business owners are affected. For me as a customer, I also don’t want to go in when there’s a crowd out front.”
Another meeting will take place Sept. 17 at the Westside Community Center and a vote is scheduled for Sept. 22.