The details
According to the proposal, the ordinance will prohibit sitting, standing and walking on medians that measure 6 feet or less in width, as well as on divided roadways where no median strip exists.
Medians are the area between opposing lanes of traffic, excluding turning lanes, and can be defined by either pavement markings, raised medians, or islands to separate vehicles and pedestrians, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s website.
The ordinance will not apply to a pedestrian if they are:
- Crossing the median as the most direct route possible
- Is the victim of or rendering aid in an emergency situation, or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer
- Performing work in the right of way with a permit
- Has prior authorization from the city or is otherwise in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Huffman said pedestrians who are caught standing or sitting on medians would face a Class C misdemeanor and a $500 fine.
The ordinance was approved in an 11-2 vote, with council members Tiffany Thomas and Letitia Plummer voting no, and council members Fred Flickinger, Abbie Kamin, Tarsha Jackson and Joaquin Martinez absent.
Thomas said that although she understands the need for the ordinance, she is concerned that this ordinance would push unhoused individuals to neighborhoods and wouldn’t truly solve the public safety issue. She said she hopes the City Council will receive feedback on whether the ordinance is working once it goes into effect.
Plummer said she is concerned that there could be unintended consequences for individuals who sit or stand on medians, which she said are typically individuals who are low-income or potentially homeless.
“These folks aren’t on social media, they’re not keeping track, they’re not going to get mail, these are people that are not going to know anything that’s going on,” Plummer said. “The folks that are directly affected are not going to know.”
On the other hand, council member Twila Carter said she supports the ordinance and says it helps address public safety issues with people standing too close to cars.
“When you’ve got someone walking up to a car window, selling flowers with a child, and the traffic light turns green and everybody takes off, that child is in danger,” Carter said.
Mayor John Whitmire said the ordinance is “good and reasonable,” and pointed to reports on panhandlers becoming more aggressive and banging on windows.
Community Impact reached out to homeless support groups, The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County and HOPE Haven, but didn’t hear back by the time of publication.
