Brickbat: Sidewalk Slam

Residents of San Francisco's Dolores Heights neighborhood have long parked in their driveways with part of their cars poking out into the sidewalk with no issues. But complaints, and citations, began to surge about six months ago, often reported via the city's 311 system. Some residents, as well as the creator of an app designed to help report code violations, suspect a single complainant may be storing images and using them to make repeated complaints. Residents say the sidewalks still have room for multiple people or wheelchairs to pass, and they argue the enforcement feels like a crackdown amid perceptions of a city-led push against car use. Officials maintain they respond to all complaints to ensure sidewalk safety.

Comments

[Chumby]

A problem with some folks is that they believe public property is somehow their personal defensible space.

“Part of their car poking out into the sidewalk with no issues.” No issues to the slimeballs parking in a sidewalk.

[Vernon Depner]

People who never walk anywhere don't understand that some of us actually use the sidewalks. In my community, it's a constant battle to keep residents from obstructing them.

[Mickey Rat]

Yes, the "no issues" is an entirely unbacked assertion.

"Residents say the sidewalks still have room for multiple people or wheelchairs to pass,..."

Which may mean the space left is not up to ADA requirements despite what the residents think is "no issues". There is no analysis of whether the rule is addressing a valid concern, just resentment that it is being enforced.

[Chumby]

Once lived in a suburbia neighborhood where several boomers were reluctant to encourage their adult children to spread wings. Parking more than two cars resulted in blocking sidewalks and a bunch of street parking that was frowned upon. One of the adult kids had five vehicles and a trailer. Looked like shit.
He actually thought he could do maintenance on the vehicles right in the street and almost got hit by another neighbor’s car when rolling from underneath on his creeper. He attacked that neighbor with a wrench and the driver knocked him out with a single punch. Boomer dad was about to call the cops before other neighbors told him his son assaulted the driver with a deadly weapon and the boy would be facing some serious time if the cops showed up. Good times.
Can’t wait for the mayhem when the 15 minute cities are up and running.

[Stupid Government Tricks]

Many many years ago, when I was a Berzerkeley college rat, I got tired one day of cars blocking the sidewalk and having to walk out into the street. Just walked right over them. Hood, trunk, didn't matter. Don't remember any permanent damage. Probably left footprints.

[Incunabulum]

The problem is that sidewalks aren't actually public property. They are homeowners property where control was stolen by the state while maintaining responsibility and costs on the property owner.

[Fist of Etiquette]

The bumpers were interfering with the defecation.

[Longtobefree]

Given the right to confront an accuser, all systems that allow anonymous complaints are unconstitutional.

[Stupid Government Tricks]

They get around that by some uniformed meter maid visiting the scene of the tip and making the official accusation. If the violation still exists, it's still a violation, still valid.

[Sometimes a Great Notion]

Officials maintain they respond to all complaints to ensure sidewalk safety.

Maybe arm them with a pooper scooper.

[diver64]

The residents have the government they voted in. Don't like the regulations then vote in people that will change them.

[Mickey Rat]

It is all part of the "excitement" of city life.

[Medulla Oblongata]

One article I read on this was saying how multiple reports for the same addresses are coming in using the same photo proving the obstruction multiple times on subsequent days. Seems to largely be a few busybodies with axes to grind. Sure, if someone blocks the sidewalk, they may face fines, but fake reports of blocking the sidewalk must also be addressed.

[Medulla Oblongata]

Somewhat related...

https://abc7news.com/post/san-francisco-ban-homeless-people-living-rvs-new-parking-limit/17246880/

SAN FRANCISCO -- A San Francisco board voted to restrict unhoused people from living in RVs by adopting strict new parking limits the mayor says are necessary to keep sidewalks clear and prevent trash buildup.

The policy, which received final approval by San Francisco supervisors Tuesday, targets at least 400 recreational vehicles in the city of 800,000 people. The RVs serve as shelter for people who can't afford housing, including immigrant families with kids.

The new plan sets two-hour parking restrictions on RV's.

The plan also creates new homeless outreach teams that will offer people shelter, and even cash, if they agree to give up their RV's.

Some RV residents say living in a shelter would be a downgrade from their current arrangements.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

If you have live in an RV, it’s time to drive it to a more affordable town.

[Incunabulum]

The problem there is that they can't maintain a residence anywhere - mental health issues - and those more affordable areas are not afraid to exist homeless people and move them on.

Homeless stay where they're tolerated.

[Vernon Depner]

In many cases the vehicles are not in driveable condition.

[Vernon Depner]

immigrant families

They misspelled "illegal aliens".

[mad.casual]

Officials maintain they respond to all complaints to ensure sidewalk safety.

Ah... [contented sigh]... due process.