Proposed Sidewalk Ban Heats Up

Mayor Tom Bates has commanded attention throughout the Bay Area announcing he plans to pitch an ordinance to the Berkeley City Council banning sitting on sidewalks.

Bates says the time has come to take tushes off the sidewalks -- at least in commercial areas. He hopes to put the question before voters in November. If the measure passes, scofflaws could be hit with a $50 fine per offense.

Bates told Fox News, ABC7, and San Jose Mercury News he is not attacking the homeless. But encampments of young people are interfering with foot traffic and discouraging customers from patronizing nearby businesses, he said.

Patch visited one popular gathering spot on Telegraph Avenue, and found the squatters favor one half of a wide sidewalk, leaving an equal amount of space for passing pedestrians.

Would you vote for such an ordinance?