HOUSTON – The Riverside Terrace community will have a chance to discuss with city leaders about adding the neighborhood as a designated area for a civility ordinance.
The ordinance known as the “sitting and lying upon public sidewalks” article would make it, “unlawful for any person to sit or lie down on a sidewalk or on a blanket, stool, or any other object placed upon a sidewalk between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.”
Charleen Jones, a precinct chair who helped collect signatures for the petition, said the ordinance could reduce crime.
“I think the ordinance will help us feel safe in our community, and have a decrease in the crime, and just general public safety,” Jones said. “I believe it will deter crime. [It will] decrease the crime in the neighborhood. Make us feel safer walking the streets no matter the time.”
The city adds designated areas to the civility ordinance after receiving petitions from property owners and at least 100 residents over 18 years old. The city must then hold a public hearing to listen to the opinions of the community.
On Wednesday, Feb.21 at 9 a.m., there will be a public hearing at the city council chambers located at 900 Bagby to discuss the matter.
According to the city, the Central Business District, Midtown, Old Sixth Ward, Avondale, and Greater Hyde Park areas are designated areas.
Some who live and work in Riverside believe the civility ordinance polices homelessness.
“Who’s going to pay [for] those tickets? Not the homeless, they ain’t got no money,” said resident Steven Rios. “You’re going to fine people who don’t have money to go to court, which they’re not going to go to court, so now they’re going to get a warrant.”
Michael Price echoed his sentiments.
“Help them,” Price said. “Get them some housing. Get them jobs. Get training programs for them. That’s it. It’s as simple as that. Don’t just kick them down, they’re already down.”
Jones agrees more needs to be done to help the homeless population but is unsure how.
“A lot of people that are homeless don’t want to go to a facility,” Jones said. “We don’t want to be part of the problem. We want to resolve the issues of homelessness in our community.”
Statement from Coalition of the Homeless President:
“We understand civility ordinances can play a role in overall community structure and function. After all, we live in neighborhoods too. However, a ban on sitting or lying down on sidewalks will not fix the underlying issue if homelessness is indeed the root of the problem. To resolve homelessness, we must provide housing with stability services,” said Coalition of the Homeless President & CEO Kelly Young.
