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June 12, 2023

Opinion: City needs to keep sidewalks clear

By PHIL BROWN
DJC Editor

Pedestrians walk on Western Avenue ...

Photos by Phil Brown
to avoid tents blocking the sidewalks.

What to do about the homeless?

That question has been at the forefront of civic debate for years. Get tougher? Be more compassionate? Housing first? Drug treatment?

The Harrell administration has definitely made progress over the last year, but much remains to be done.

Recent changes in Portland deserve consideration.

Portland will remove tents as a result of a lawsuit over homeless camps blocking the city's sidewalks.

A federal class-action lawsuit, filed in September, alleged that the city violated the American with Disabilities Act by allowing tents to obstruct sidewalks. The plaintiffs included a caretaker and nine people with disabilities who use wheelchairs, scooters, canes and walkers to get around, the Associated Press reported.

And just last week Portland's city council voted to prohibit camping during daytime hours in most public places. The vote changes city code to say that people may only camp in nonrestricted areas from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., but after that they must dismantle the site until the permitted overnight hours begin again.

The ordinance also bans camping entirely near schools, parks and busy streets.

Seattle could learn from Portland.

At a minimum, Seattle needs to keep the sidewalks clear and available for everyone to use for, you know, walking.


 

Phil Brown can be reached by email or by phone at (206) 622-8272.


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