What the hell, Mayor Soglin? I thought you were one of the good guys!

[TheMightyFavog]

In his latest attempt to address Downtown homeless problems, Mayor Paul Soglin is proposing limits with stiff penalties on sitting or lying on public benches, sidewalks and city office properties from early morning until late at night.

The so-called Downtown Pedestrian Protection Ordinance sets time limits for sitting, lying or “lodging” in those places in the Central Business District generally around Capitol Square and State Street, including the City-County and Madison Municipal buildings.


At a press conference Thursday, Soglin said the proposal is needed because the city’s posture of compassion with no rules toward the homeless and drifters leads to behavior problems including violence, drunkenness, drug use and trading sex for drugs. The problems are interfering with the use of public space and straining emergency and other resources, Soglin said.

“Madison’s transient, drifter population is growing every week,” Soglin said. “We’ve created a circus atmosphere where anything goes.”

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/paul-soglin-proposes-time-limit-on-benches-sidewalks-downtown/article_94852ebb-7e66-57d1-a870-d90495753660.html#ixzz3haMdseCR

[Scuba]

1. Soglin long ago forgot what it meant to struggle.

[onecaliberal]

2. This is what you're crappy city and state policy has created.

Like a truly evil individual you blame the victims. Completely disgusting.

[6chars]

3. Walker's newest lieutenant?

[onecaliberal]

4. That is just screwed.

[6chars]

6. didn't mean you.

[Still In Wisconsin]

5. Hizzoner stopped being a champion of the left a couple of decades ago.

He's not the same guy at all.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

7. Well jeez does that make me a bad guy too...? -

Im in favor of efforts to get the situation a bit more workable for all users of public space... not just this particular subset of disruptive squatters who've more or less taken ownership of portions of downtown public space to the exclusion of other people (by no means representative of all homeless people the vast majority who are doing what they can in a more positive way to survive and get themselves in a better situation).

The rest of the story is the proposed establishment of day centers , housing, other options for people....

So, what suggestions do YOU have OP or is the status quo OK with you?

[BeaverDem]

8. No it does not

At least he is trying to do something.
People can call it criminalizing homelessness all they want, but I wager none of those people have had to run the gauntlet of people entering the city/county building.
I am not saying they do not deserve to be treated like people, that they are not victims, but when they start to become disruptive, it is a serious issue, and drastic measures are needed.

[dembotoz]

9. i have been trapped on several occasions as the spouse in tow

like at the mall i have been the guy on the bench or table at the food court waiting while my significant other
shopped or did whatever she was going to do for an entire afternoon.

nice to know now i would be considered and evil lawbreaker

maybe if i got a ticket i could stay home