Gov. Abbott warns Austin to settle homelessness problems, or state will step in

[Elderberry]

Houston Chronicle by Taylor Goldenstein and Raga Justin Oct. 2, 2019

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday warned Austin city officials that if by November they don’t take action on resolving homelessness issues, he will deploy state law enforcement and other agencies.

In a letter to the capital city's mayor Wednesday, Abbott called for “meaningful reforms” and cited “reports of violence, used needles and feces littering the streets” since the city council adopted controversial homelessness policies this June.

The move loosened bans on camping, sitting or lying down on public sidewalks, and panhandling and prompted an outcry from residents and Republicans across Texas who complained it made the city less clean and more dangerous.

“The status quo is increasingly intolerable and a swift course correction is needed to protect the health and safety of Texans,” Abbott said in the letter addressed to Austin Mayor Steve Adler, a Democrat.

More: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/local/politics/article/Gov-Abbott-warns-Austin-to-settle-homelessness-14486574.php

[Wingnut]

And do something with the panhandlers too.  Some of these guys make more a year than I do.

[Sanguine]

 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Reality is about to hit Austin.

The state holds all the cards as cities exist at the state's whim.  No matter what a city thinks.

Some people think that states exist at the whim of the feds.  Just the opposite.

[berdie]

I hope he can do something to stop the insanity in Austin.  This ain't Cali (no offense to any Ca poster).

[Ghost Bear]

Austin's Police Chief responds, putting the Austin City Council on the spot:

https://www.kxan.com/news/chief-manley-discusses-apds-guidelines-for-enforcing-homeless-ordinances/

Press conference mentioned in the article linked above took place Thursday, the day after Gov. Abbott's statement.

[PeteS in CA]

From the linked article:

Manley has requested that the old homeless ordinances be put back in place until city leaders come up with a more permanent solution. He also requested that camping be banned on all sidewalks in downtown Austin.
...
He has not received a response to his request from city council but explained how his department has been handling citations against homeless people since the new ordinances went into effect.

The new ordinances allow homeless people to sit, lie and camp in public places as long as they are not a threat to the public. Manley explained that if any pedestrian has to step off of the sidewalk or step over someone or their belongings, that is a violation and the person doing the obstructing will be cited. He said homeless people in areas that have been closed because of special events like marathons or concerts will also be in violation.
...
Similarly, if someone in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller cannot get through an area while walking in a straight line because of a homeless person or their belongings, a citation will be issued.

Austin is not in the Ninth Circuit, and thus is not limited by the moronic Boise decision.