The city has widespread support among Oahu residents to ban people from lying or sleeping on city sidewalks, but not so much when it comes to sweeping the homeless and taking their possessions.

Oahu residents surveyed in the latest Hawaii Poll are clearly frustrated with the growing homeless encampment that winds around the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center, University of Hawaii medical school and Kakaako Waterfront Park.

Some 74 percent of respondents said the encampment should “move somewhere.” Only 21 percent said it should be left alone.

The results of the poll of 408 Oahu residents conducted July 24-29 provide valuable feedback for city officials as they continue to work with their counterparts in the state to figure out what to do with homeless people across the island and especially in Kakaako, which has seen assaults skyrocket — including a mob attack on state Rep. Tom Brower on June 29.

“I’m glad people are thinking along the same lines,” Mayor Kirk Caldwell said. “People want to see us given (the ability) to keep areas open.”

Given a margin of error of 4.9 percent, residents’ attitudes were statistically the same when it came to the city’s new “sit-lie” ban that prohibits people from sitting or lying in economic centers such as Waikiki, downtown and Chinatown but has indirectly spawned new homeless encampments elsewhere.

“Sit-lie” is supported by 71 percent of Oahu residents, compared with 24 who oppose it.

When it comes to the question of whether to “sweep” homeless people, Oahu residents are far less supportive.

A slight majority — 55 percent — support sweeps that could clear areas and cost homeless people their belongings. Another 38 percent oppose the concept of sweeps.

Alycea Arline, 22, of Aiea lost her job and could have ended up homeless herself. So she sympathizes with homeless people.

But she also feels “uncomfortable” when she has to navigate around people sleeping or lying on city sidewalks.

“I’m worried about my safety,” Arline said. “Some of the people are very dirty, and you don’t want to go into a store if a person is sitting right there. It’s very off-putting. I just want to walk down the street and feel safe.”