If architecture is erected specifically "to prevent people from sitting or lying at street" level, it would be prohibited.
Senate Bill 6231 defines hostile architecture as “elements designed to restrict the use of public spaces by individuals experiencing homelessness.” (A PDF of the original bill can be viewed here.)
In the past, those elements have included fencing, large boulders and gravel. If the elements are erected specifically “to prevent people from sitting or lying at street” level, they would be prohibited.
A good move that is in pretty stark contrast to the current Seattle leadership's goals. Glad people on the state level are trying something here though
Harrell is super anti-homeless. Sadly that sentiment is spilling over into neighboring cities. I am in Burien and it is the same here. They hired a encampment sweeping company with some sketchy contracts and everything
Hello fellow Burienite! Don't forget they also made a second dog park to retroactively justify sweeping the encampment. "We would like, totally help you by offering resources, but we really need a place for our dogs to shit. Sorry about not having a roof over your head or whatever..." And in the next breath "hey everyone, we need this park sooooo bad but we can't afford to build it. Can you spare some change?" Fucking disgusting.
Can we ban 'skate stoppers' intended to physically injure skaters who attempt the feature too?
Like, if it's designed from the start to not be super skateable that's fine. But adding things after the spot is already established that will cause people to 'catch' and fall seems a bit messed up.
well, these aren't mutually exclusive—and anti-homeless architecture is very harmful to everyone, not just the homeless. it often strips public spaces of amenities like benches, bathrooms, or even just any space in which you could conceivably loiter for fear that that they'll be used by the "undeserving"
"No, your honor, we weren't trying to stop anyone from sitting or lying at street level, we have just become infatuated with neoarchitectural design, including spikes, cemented rocks, barbed wire, and other very-legitimate hyper-modern artistic design elements. We even paid an artist. The internal emails you subpoenaed will confirm all of this."
I think they're trying to say that the language in reference is just pandering.
In my experience, a homeless guy doesn't give a single fuck if you call him homeless, unhoused, temporarily displaced, or a person experiencing homelessness. The bill itself is also quite tepid. While it does address some of the resultant effects of cruelty to the homeless, the actual cruelty itself remains, as well as the system that produced and perpetuates the conditions of homelessness in the first place.
Some will say "take wins where you can get them," but I would not call this a win at all. Might actually cause a backlash against the homeless population over there.
Edit: I no longer think my anxiety about backlash was justified in this instance. Abhorrent > Tepid