City Council Again Postpones Vote on Loop Loitering Bill

The University City City Council on Monday night again postponed a vote on a bill that would levy a hefty fine against anyone found obstructing sidewalks or streets in the Loop.

"I want to speak further at length with the chief of police to get more information from the chief of police," said Councilmember L. Michael Glickert. The council tabled the bill at its last meeting on May 12.

At last night's meeting, Councilmember Byron Price suggested that more people be involved in the decision. He said the city should convene a group of people to come up with "some strategic alternatives to just one bill as it relates to the Loop."

"Something as broad and as important as this, we need a broader group of people working on this." He suggested including city staff, police, community members and Loop business owners, to "come up with broader scope of solutions versus one solution." 

Bill 9112 was crafted after a particularly disruptive weekend in the Loop in April involving young people. The bill would make it illegal for "any person, singly or in concert with others, to stand, loiter or walk upon any public sidewalk or street so as to obstruct or unreasonably interfere with free use."

Anyone found in violation of Bill 9112 could be fined up to $1,000. Even though the bill was tabled, council still opened the floor for citizen comments on it.

"I am absolutely disappointed," said St. Louis resident Ed Reggi, who has previously spoken in opposition of the bill. "You are moving the goal posts every week."

 Reggi said an ordinance on the books dealing with disturbing the peace will deal with any issues of unruly youth in the Loop.

Why does the council keep postponing the vote, asked Reggi. He urged the council to vote down Bill 9112 or amend it. He said he has started an online petition against the bill that has almost 500 signatures.

"If you don't deal with some people who do not want to follow the law, then you have neighborhoods that get ravaged, and I would hate for that to happen to the Loop," said Councilmember Price. He wanted to make clear that he wants people to be lawful, he just doesn't know that Bill 9112 the way it stands is the answer.

Councilmember Crow agreed with Councilmember Price, "it definitely needs to be tweaked," he said.