MADISON, Wis. β Madison's mayor says he has a way to deal with the city's growing transient population. Paul Soglin would limit the time one could spend sitting on a bench in the downtown area. Lying down on the bench would be prohibited.
Soglin planned to talk about his idea with City Council members Friday and formally introduce the proposal Tuesday. Specifically the plan calls for a time limit of one hour for continuous sitting or lying on public benches. It also would ban anyone from sleeping on public sidewalks and right-of-ways from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
City attorney Michael May said the proposal has been "carefully crafted" to withstand legal scrutiny, addressing behavior and its impact on business and city operations rather than individuals or their status. It is based on laws found in Honolulu and Portland, Oregon.
The mayor says the city's posture of compassion with "no rules" policy for the homeless and drifters had led to violence, drunkenness, drug use and trading sex for drugs.
"We've created a circus atmosphere where anything goes," Soglin said. "We can't arrest our way out of this problem."
Homeless advocate Brenda Konkel is blasting the proposal which would make bench-sitting for more than an hour a fineable offense.
"They're treating the homeless community more as if they're their children instead of treating them like the adults that they are and asking them, 'What will work for you?'"
Konkel argues that the mayor needs to continue his push to create affordable and supportive housing, and shelters with no stay limits.
City Council President Denise DeMarb said the proposal will trigger a much-needed conversation on behavior problems and the homeless, but notes that Soglin's plan will not change culture.
"I think it's a start," she said. "I'm pleased the language is on behavior. But when he speaks of changing culture, I'd like to see a plan and strategy to do that."
