'No Sit, No Lie' ordinance frustrating

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Greg Koch is newly homeless, just three months. Every day he reads the paper, looking for work, trying his best to get his life back.

Tuesday he's sitting on a 7th Street sidewalk step getting caught up on the news of the day. He now knows about about the city's "No sit, No Lie" ordinance, which doesn't allow him to sit or lie down on downtown sidewalks. He says it's not helping his efforts of making a new life.

"The city ordinance is just ridiculous," said Koch. "I'm surprised I'm not getting harassed just sitting here."

Two weeks ago Koch got a ticket for napping outside. He was surprised there was such an ordinance.

"They're busting all these guys giving them all tickets when they don't even have money. I don't have an income. How am I supposed to pay for it?" asked Koch.

Homeless advocate group House the Homeless asked the city's Health and Human Services subcommittee to make exceptions for people who have medical issues and when it's 100 degrees or hotter outside. Nearly 50advocates showed up to the meeting to help convince the committee. The group also asked that more benches be installed around the city.

Tuesday afternoon, the committee recommended two exceptions to the ordinance: People can sit or lie down if they are disabled or if they have a medical emergency.

"There's a handful of us standing up for this humanitarian issue," said Richard Troxel with House the Homeless. "We're right. People need to be taken care of. There are lives at stake here and for us it's a fight to the finish."

Some downtown business owners don't feel the same.

Bob Woody owns several businesses downtown including the Old Pecan Street cafe at 5th and Trinity streets. He represents the East Sixth Street Community Association. He said businesses lose thousands of dollars in revenue every year when customers decide to eat elsewhere to avoid someone begging on the street.

"Sitting down is an issue," said Woody. "It also promotes panhandling. The fact that they're not moving, they're not in motion allows them to be something that has to be dealt with."

As for Koch, he's just trying to make a new life.

"The old phrase, 'Catch 22.' Damned if you do, dammed if you don't," said Koch. "Well, down here you're just damned because in this situation, that's exactly what it feels like."

The recommended changes to the No Sit, No Lie ordinance now to go City Council for final approval. Council members could make a decision at the meeting on Aug. 26.