Tougher sidewalk bill clears first hurdle

A Council panel OKs a measure that would allow for immediate removal of "nuisances"

By Gordon Y.K. Pang

~~<p>A bill making it harder for people to keep tents and other items on Oahu sidewalks was given preliminary approval Tuesday by the City Council's Public Safety and Economic Development Committee.</p>
<p>Bill 7 (2013) has won the support of residents living near the (de)Occupy Honolulu encampment along the mauka edge of Thomas Square, as well as others who feel tents on sidewalks create an impediment and are unsanitary and unsightly. But (de)Occupy Honolulu supporters object to the bill and think it criminalizes homelessness and stifles free speech.</p>
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A bill making it harder for people to keep tents and other items on Oahu sidewalks was given preliminary approval Tuesday by the City Council's Public Safety and Economic Development Committee.

Bill 7 (2013) has won the support of residents living near the (de)Occupy Honolulu encampment along the mauka edge of Thomas Square, as well as others who feel tents on sidewalks create an impediment and are unsanitary and unsightly. But (de)Occupy Honolulu supporters object to the bill and think it criminalizes homelessness and stifles free speech. Login for more...