BART's new 'stretching out' on street ban is GREAT! Let me tell you why!

BART police is now banning sleeping, stretching out at the Powell Station during the day and I think it's quite a smart move.  No, it's not because I can't stand the smell of homeless and their wastes, really, it's not that!  The reason I think the ban is needed is because of safety.  There are different types of safety violations when you have a homeless person sleeping at every corner, or sometimes, just in the middle of the street or walkway.

Safety violation #1: I've seen homeless people sleep at the top of stairs and escalators, causing people to trip at the top of the escalators because suddenly, 2 rows of people need to hop over a homeless man wrapped in a thick blanket.  He left 5 inches of clearance for everyone to somehow squeeze through.  And homeless at the top of the stairs is not much better although you do have more time to walk over them at your own pace, versus an escalator.

Safety violation #2: The human waste problem at any of the downtown stations is getting out of hand.  Flowing urine greets me daily, and there's now more feces than 6 months ago too.  The homeless sleeps in one spot and then turns to the nearest corner (sometimes not) to relief themselves.  It's unhealthy.

Safety violation #3: The weather has been too nice and the laying out issue has magnified because of it.  They are warm, happy, topless, and high.  There's also shopping carts everywhere along with plastic bags full of things.  It's like walking through an obstacle course.  You step on something, you get yelled at, viciously.

Safety violation #4: Well, this would just be the folks who are mentally ill and scream at you as you walk by them.  They lay out, they people watch, they comment on what you wear, what you look like, and sometimes even what they want to do to you.  It's verbal assault.  

I'm not against the homeless taking shelter at the stations.  I enjoy the energy and positivity of some homeless performers-- it's very refreshing and it's such a healthy attitude to have.  I take time to listen, drop a dollar, and say hi.  But the stretching out ban targets another type and I think it's a step in the right direction for our safety!

The X-rated 5:30am crowd at Powell Station

I had to come into the office much earlier than usual this morning to present for a prospect in Chicago. Th early morning crowd outside and around Powell Station are not quite what I expected. I didn't know what to expect since most of the business crowd got off at Embarcadero and Montgomery, and Powell Station doesn't start buzzing until 8am, but wow....it was quite an experience.

First, it was interesting to see how many homeless are able to use Powell Station as their overnight sleeping hub-- I'm glad, they do no harm and at least the station is arm.

Once I got on the escalator to street level, I noticed a homeless man, not 100% sane, following me up. He started screaming, "Take off your jacket for me, baby, come on. It's not that cold out there, baby, take it off, take off your jacket, it's ok."

What the hell?? I dashed up the escalators as quickly as I could as he continued screaming his request.

I ran into the Coffee Bean to retrieve some much needed morning caffeine to pump up my energy before my presentation. Only to run into yet another obscene screamer telling me to "**ck off, you hear me, **ck you, **ck the world, yes you, look at me when I'm talking to you, **ck you."

I then walked half a block towards the office and saw at least half a dozen pee puddles (trust me, you can smell it.) Now i know why the businesses on Market Street must hose down the sidewalk every morning!!! I thank them for it!!

Interesting experience to say the least. I much rather prefer homeless who just ask me for money so they can buy a pack of cigarettes!!