SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Santa Fe City Council is considering a bill that would ban people standing on medians. Nearly a dozen people showed up to Wednesday night’s meeting for public comment.
The bill, introduced by Mayor Alan Webber, would ban people sitting and standing on medians. It doesn’t explicitly mention panhandlers but most speakers were against the bill saying it would criminalize homelessness and not eliminate their need for money. “The individuals would get tickets, arrested, whatever the situation may be which could lead to impact on their housing, which could lead to impact on future jobs,” said another person at the meeting.
Others were in favor. “I am in favor of the proposed median ordinance. For reasons of safety. For safety of the public at large, for drivers, pedestrians and animals,” said a person at the meeting.
A similar ordinance has already been passed in Albuquerque. The bill now heads to other committees before going back to city council to be voted on at the end of the month.
