Not even a close call, TTM. People’s Park has been people’s property since it was taken by the people in 1969. It matters not to me who ‘legally’ owns it; it’s the people’s park, but you’d have to have lived in Berkeley to feel that in your gut. :)
Grew up in the area, lived off of College Ave for many years, and I spent a lot of time around the park since the late 90’s. Since that time it’s never really felt like a safe place for the people.
It’s always just struck me as dumping ground for people who need help and an unsafe place for consumption. I get the intentions, but the park is hub for some pretty violent crimes. People are calling in incidents to the cops all the time, and it’s been sketchy for decades.
Sorry, but I think actual human beings who lack (affordable or at all!) shelter might just trump a park that was popular in the hippy scene.
If there weren’t outstanding legal challenges this would be a no-brainer for me. Fuck the hippies. I’d rather see people sleeping on the streets having options that don’t include, you know, sleeping on the streets.
With the outstanding legal challenges, though, I tilt against the university.
Not even a close call, TTM. People’s Park has been people’s property since it was taken by the people in 1969. It matters not to me who ‘legally’ owns it; it’s the people’s park, but you’d have to have lived in Berkeley to feel that in your gut. :)
Grew up in the area, lived off of College Ave for many years, and I spent a lot of time around the park since the late 90’s. Since that time it’s never really felt like a safe place for the people.
It’s always just struck me as dumping ground for people who need help and an unsafe place for consumption. I get the intentions, but the park is hub for some pretty violent crimes. People are calling in incidents to the cops all the time, and it’s been sketchy for decades.
Sorry, but I think actual human beings who lack (affordable or at all!) shelter might just trump a park that was popular in the hippy scene.
If there weren’t outstanding legal challenges this would be a no-brainer for me. Fuck the hippies. I’d rather see people sleeping on the streets having options that don’t include, you know, sleeping on the streets.
With the outstanding legal challenges, though, I tilt against the university.