A new bill that many people have been waiting on to go through for a while will be signed into law today by Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle. Bill 54, which is a measure that would prohibit storing personal items, including furniture and clothing, in public areas such as sidewalks and parks, will be signed today by our Mayor.
Bill 54 was passed Wednesday by the City Council by an 8-1 vote. This will help clean up a lot of the sidewalk areas in Hawaii, whether it be from people storing trash and unwanted goods, or the homeless, the bill will help clean up sidewalk areas.
City administrators say the bill would apply to anyone who is noncompliant, but that enforcement would largely be complaint-driven. It would not apply to groups that obtain camping permits at city parks.
Critics say the measure targets the homeless and could wind up being an added financial burden on the city.
Under Bill 54, people found in violation would be given a written notice and 24 hours to remove their property. After that, the property would be impounded and stored by the city. Owners would be given at least 30 days’ notice to recover it before it would be discarded or sold at auction.
The city has said it would work within its existing budget this fiscal year to implement the program.
Is this a step I the right direction or a step in the wrong direction? Furthermore, how is this going to affect Hawaii’s homeless, and will all this money put into the bill really matter?
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