New Berkeley Law Prohibits Storage of Belongings on Sidewalk

The Berkeley City Council passed a new law Tuesday night that aims to help the city’s less fortunate and make sure public spaces are safe and clean, city officials said. The law will provide free storage for the belongings of people living on the street, but will prohibit them from covering more than two square feet of plaza or sidewalk space with their personal belongings from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to city officials.

The ordinance will also prohibit people from keeping a cart six square feet in size or less in one place for more than an hour from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., city officials said. After an hour the cart must be moved to another block face, according to city officials.

The purpose of prohibiting people from storing their belongings on sidewalks is to be sure the sidewalks are available for moving goods, people and wheelchairs, according to city officials. The law also prohibits people from lying in planter beds and on planter walls, city officials said. City Council member Laurie Capitelli said during the public comment period roughly three people opposed the ordinance for every person that supported it. He said council members heard that the law will criminalize the homeless, which he doesn’t agree with.

Capitelli said people can sleep in Berkeley’s parks during the day and in commercial districts at night. He said in some U.S. cities it’s a crime to sleep in public. Police won’t cite people for keeping belongings or carts on the sidewalk until the free storage is available, he said. Council members voted six to three with Kriss Worthington, Jessie Arreguin and Max Anderson casting no votes, city spokesman Matthai Chakko said.

Capitelli said the council will buy storage units when the city manager’s staff tells council members how much the storage units will cost and suggests places for the units. He said Los Angeles and San Diego provide free storage to people living on the street and the service seems to be working well. The new law does not prohibit sitting on the sidewalk, city officials said.

See Also:

• Advocates Oppose Efforts to Clear Berkeley of Homeless

By Bay City News

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