On Tuesday, January 27th, at 7:00pm, the Santa Cruz City Council will consider recommendations by Mayor Cynthia Mathews and Councilmembers Lynn Robinson and Ryan Coonerty to make Santa Cruz’ downtown and beach area "more safe, vibrant and welcoming for community members and visitors alike. This effort will improve and expand existing ordinances in order to make them consistent, understandable and enforceable; other programs will address specific issues."

The proposal includes: Even less "public" space for peaceable assembly, performance, and social interaction. The move along law extended to benches. 14' "sitting" exclusion zones around benches. Expansion of exclusion zones to "public art", "directories", and "trash compactors" - which means many more of these items are on the way. More "stay away" orders. Increased police presence downtown via "non-general fund" revenues. "Public restrooms" in (three) private businesses (provided with subsidies). “Real Change, Not Spare Change” (again). Three unanswered citations = warrant. More "tools" for law enforcement. A City Council that is convinced that regulation is the solution, rather than communication and co-operation and community building. Read more | Copies of the proposed new ordinances

see also: Harsher Downtown Ordinances Being Cooked Up? | O'neill's Surf Shop, Police Hassle Street Performers, Collude to Thwart City Ordinances. | Rump Measure K Committee Excludes Public Comment, Loses Audio Tape | Notes on the Proposed New Improved Downtown Ordinances Reducing Public Space