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Houston City Council voted on Wednesday to establish a civility ordinance for the Riverside Terrace community in Third Ward, which prevents anyone from lying or sitting on sidewalks between certain hours.
The community said criminal activity has increased in its neighborhood for over a year and a half. Its sidewalks are being occupied by illegal drug use, public urination, people dealing with mental health issues and homeless people are setting up camps in its alleyways. To find a solution to the problem, the community gathered about 400 signatures for a petition.
The civility ordinance was enacted in 2002. It prevents people from lying, sitting, or having their personal possessions on city sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Residents violating the ordinance can be ticketed. The law does have exceptions that include medical emergencies, disabilities and anyone participating or attending a festival, parade, or rally.
"We're trying to make it so that our community feels safe walking down the street, kids can ride bikes," said Sabrina Dean-Bass with the Riverside Civic Association Board. "We want the neighbors to be more protected than what they are today. [I] think we're going to see a decrease in some of the activities we see every day."
Dean-Bass said she was relieved when she heard the news.
"I was getting text after text from neighbors saying the ordinance passed, this is great," she said. "Congratulations to us. We worked so hard to make sure we got the signatures and everything done – nothing but positive cheers throughout the day yesterday as the word spread."
Riverside Terrace is joining nine other Houston communities that are covered by the ordinance including Central Business District, Midtown, Old Sixth Ward, Avondale, Hyde Park, Near Northside, East Downtown Management District, the historic Near Northside, and South Post Oak/West Bellfort. A city-wide ordinance is not possible due to potential legal challenges according to the city's Attorney Arturo Michele. Other major cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas, have attempted to put city-wide laws in place.
According to the agenda item, the ordinance will cover the northern boundary at Blodgett Street, the eastern boundary by the Columbia Tap Trail, extend southward to South MacGregor Way, and the western boundary to South Freeway (SH 288).
A recent public hearing drew in a crowd of supporters and those who oppose the ordinance being expanded into the neighborhood. The conversation brought up a bigger issue in Houston that some officials and residents say needs addressing like affordable housing and mental health.
Some residents and council members agreed it could be a useful tool to crack down on crime and get homeless people the help they need, like going to the city's Navigation Center on Jensen Drive. But, on the other hand, some felt it could potentially criminalize the homeless.
District D Carolyn Evans-Shabazz who represents the area reiterated during Wednesday's meeting that it’s not to target the homeless.
"This is not to push out the homeless or the housing insecure, but to encourage them to reach out to the city for services that are available," she said. "I see this as a positive movement as well as a positive impact on the economic value of properties in the area."