Sit & Lie Law's are Unnecessary

Public intoxication, Camping out, lodging in public spaces, or obstruction of sidewalks or passageways are just some of the current laws that can be used to prevent homeless people from sitting on the sidewalks in San Francisco.

The San Francisco Planning Commission addressed the newly proposed Sit and Lie Law on April 1st 2010. At that meeting many people spoke including someone from the police, the Mayors office and various homeless organizations. Nicolas King, "an official from Newsom's Office of Criminal Justice" defended the newly proposed law and that the public is being misled about the definition, or virtues, of the Sit and Lie Law. For instance the law only applies during certain hours 7am-11pm, and to sidewalks only. It would not include sitting in the parklets, or on fixed benches, or public spaces intended for sitting. King also states the law does not intend to criminalize homelessness and that passing it would be a public safety issue.
Planning commission Vice President Christina Olague stated that there are already plenty of laws in place that address the issues, and that the cost of enforcing and passing the Sit and Lie far outweigh the benefits. During the planning commission meeting a police officer did indicate that the 3rd party or the complainants usually do not cooperate when they try to cite people for blocking passageways.
For instance homeless people tend to sit around on sidewalks to hang out with friends or to pass the time because current City services for the homeless are lacking. And usually when a homeless person pursues City Services or shelters they usually end up in rat infested SRO's in other neighborhoods like the Mission or the Tenderloin.
After visiting Haight street I quickly learned that business owners were reluctant to speak on camera or be quoted over the newly proposed Sit and Lie law, and some locals and shoppers are adamantly against more laws that limit freedoms or criminalize people who like to sit on sidewalks.
Someone from the Larkin Street referral center also indicated that newcomers to the city are often cited for the Sit and Lie law or threatened with it, even though it does not exist yet, which has created a situation where the Larkin Street Youth Services must take the time educate youth about their rights.
The planning commission passed a motion to hear the law with amendments including an assessment on City services available to the folks who sit around on sidewalks. Some of the amendments must include clauses about what to do about Day Laborers and homeless people etc....