Proposition M – opposition

By Celeste Bogle
The Guardsman

Proposition M would ensure reliant foot-patrol police programs in areas of San Francisco with high crime rates. This would work as a substitute for the much-needed Proposition L, the Civil Sidewalks or “sit-lie” measure.

These two propositions are conjoined by a poison pill, a provision inserted into Prop M which enables Prop L to become active only if M is voted down. If Prop M receives more votes than Prop L—whether or not the majority of voters approve—”sit-lie” will immediately be void.

If Prop M doesn’t pass and L does, the law will restrict any person from sitting or lying on sidewalks during business hours to combat sidewalk traffic.

Prop L is simply trying to make sidewalks and congested walkways safe travel environments, not only for tourists but for locals as well. It’s proponents believe sidewalks should only be used for pedestrians, and that sitting and lying on them only blocks pathways to businesses.

Opposing Prop M will keep police officers from having to alter their written policies, and create a new system of surveillance with foot patrols. Officers will be restricted in their powers and unable to free walkways from overcrowding. This will impede the dexterity of our police system, by removing more mobile, on-call officers from police cars. Emergency response time will be slower than ever.

In turn, it will undermine the stated purpose of Prop M by creating more sidewalk traffic than before.

Voting no on Prop M will help Prop L pass, which will effectively clear the city’s walkways to showcase San Francisco to newcomers, and establish safer neighborhoods.