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On Tuesday night, the Greensboro City Council unanimously voted to amend an existing ordinance to ban people from lying or sleeping on the sidewalks or obstructing the passageways to local businesses.
The ordinance is intended to address one such issue that has recently turned into a major health concern. There have been several complaints from business owners, employees and in some cases city workers expressing that some individuals are defecating and urinating in the streets, walkways, passageways, alleys, as well as at the entrances and exits of businesses.
The council approved amending chapter 18, section 44 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances to curtail criminal and sanitary concerns.
“It’s all of the trash and debris, and a lot of that is tied into those behaviors,” said Assistant City Manager of Public Safety, Andrea Harrell.
The amended ordinance makes it illegal for, “sitting or lying down upon a public street or highway, public sidewalk, public passageway, or entrance or exit to a building, or sitting or lying down upon a blanket, chair, stool or any other object placed upon a public street or highway, public sidewalk, public passageway, or entrance or exit to a building between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and between the hours of 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday.”
Violators can be charged with a class 3 misdemeanor.
“With the homeless issues escalating to a public health and public safety crisis, it is threatening the quality of life of all of our citizens, our downtown businesses and ultimately the reputation of our city,” said Chris Waldeck, a Downtown Greensboro, Inc. (DGI) board member.
While several speakers agreed with the council’s decision to amend the ordinance, others believe the ordinance still needs more detail, considering the fact there are already laws on the books addressing this issue.
“No new ordinance is going to resolve that because there are already laws and ordinances on the books to address this, and a blind eye is turned,” said Greensboro resident, Phillip Marsh.
City council members also expressed the importance of providing the unhoused with resources to find shelter, rather than just kicking a person off the property.
“Make sure it is done compassionately. I don’t want it to escalate to a situation that is not necessary,” said District 1 Council member Sharon Hightower.
To help mitigate the situation, the city has installed accessible portable toilets under the bridge at Spring Garden Street and on the corner of South Elm Street and Gate City Blvd., where the unhoused will be directed to use.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan also shared that the city is working with Downtown Greensboro Inc., (DGI) to erect more public restrooms with water and sewage access in the near future.
City staff also provided a list of resources and facilities to help those in need, including the Doorway Project and the Winter Emergency (WE) Shelters being coordinated through Greensboro Urban Ministry. On nights when the temperature drops below 32 degrees there are also activation of overnight warming centers at Glenwood Church and the Greensboro Urban Ministry.
The ordinance goes into effect immediately.
