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San Francisco Police Commission hears wide debate over proposed citywide "sit‑and‑lie" ordinance
Summary
The Police Commission hosted an extended presentation and public comment on a proposed citywide sit‑and‑lie ordinance that would bar sitting or lying on sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.; police argued it would let officers address obstructive behavior proactively, while civil‑liberties groups and neighborhood advocates warned of broad, discriminatory impacts and urged more data and narrower drafting.
The San Francisco Police Commission heard a lengthy presentation and public comment on March 10 about a proposed citywide "sit‑and‑lie" ordinance that would make it unlawful to sit or lie on public sidewalks from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Assistant Chief Casper, presenting the department’s proposal, described exceptions and enforcement procedures and emphasized warnings before citations.
The ordinance as presented would ‘‘make it unlawful to sit or lie on a public sidewalk’’ during the stated hours but would exempt medical emergencies, permitted activities, wheelchairs, strollers and city benches, Assistant Chief Casper said. He added that ‘‘no one shall be cited without first receiving a warning’’ and that the department’s objective is behavior change, not mass arrests. The department also told commissioners it modeled the proposal on a Seattle ordinance…
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