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Residents urge signage to notify homeless people that firehouse restrooms are available
Summary
Two public commenters told the commission they distributed flyers and money at Tent City to inform homeless people that taxpayer-funded firehouse restrooms are available and asked the department to install signage ("toilets available 7 days a week, 9 to 6") at stations near the encampment; they said station staff were aware of the policy and had let people use the restrooms.
During the public comment period Michael Vitrelis, who identified himself as a "sunshine advocate," told the commission he and a volunteer handed out flyers and attached dollar bills to attract attention and inform homeless residents near the Mission/Division tent encampment that public toilets in several fire stations are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. He said firefighters at the stations they visited were professional, aware of the existing policy, and permitted entry for restroom use.
"I really think that the department has enough money and has a duty to create simple signs saying toilets available 7 days a week, 9 to 6," Vitrelis said, urging the department to post signage comparable in size to existing "abandoned babies" signs to raise awareness.
Bill Wilson, who accompanied Vitrelis, described the station personnel as compassionate and reiterated that the request was not for a new policy but for better publicity of the departmentexisting public-access policy so people who might need the restrooms are aware.
Ending: Commissioners accepted the public comments into the record; no formal action was taken at the meeting and the commission requested staff follow-up where appropriate.
