Council considers extending 'civility ordinance' to other neighborhoods

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

(8/23/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- The city council took on the controversial 'no loitering - civility ordinance' on Wednesday.

The current ordinance makes it illegal for people to lie down, sit or leave personal belongings on public sidewalks between 7am and 11pm. The ordinance was approved for downtown back in 2002, and then midtown in August 2004.

The council is considering whether to expand the ban into several other areas including old 6th ward, Avondale and greater Hyde Park.

Dale Harger, President of the Avondale Association, said, "This is one of the very few tools the city of Houston gives neighborhoods to improve themselves."

"It's amazing to me that here in 2006, that we're still doing the same type of thing, just prohibiting people from existing," said Houston City Councilmember Ada Edwards. "I didn't know it was against the law to sit in a public space in America."

Seven hundred residents signed a petition asking for the ban to be extended. The council is expected to vote on it next week.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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