CLAYTON, MISSOURI (KMOX) - The St. Louis County Council passed a contentious ordinance Tuesday night, prohibiting pedestrians from walking or standing in a street. If no sidewalk is available, people must walk or face towards oncoming traffic. The bill introduced by Councilman Ernie Trakas was intended to improve public safety, but opponents said it's aimed at panhandlers who stand in roadway medians.
Councilman Mark Harder joined fellow Republicans Trakas and Dennis Hancock in approving the ordinance, citing statistics from police. "Over the last two years in just unincorporated St. Louis County, there have been 366 accidents involving pedestrians, in one form or another."
But Councilwoman Lisa Clancy wasn't buying the public safety aspect. "I can's support a policy that will criminalize my fellow stroller pushers who need to avoid an uneven sidewalk." She cited various groups, including advocates for disable people, who strongly opposed the measure. Clancy said Oklahoma City passed a similar ordinance, and ended up paying millions for lawsuits. Trakas said his ordinance has no exceptions - such as joggers or certain neighborhoods that wanted to opt out - in order to make it "equal protection under the law." His belief is that will help the ordinance survive a legal challenge.
After some bickering and back-and-forth, mostly between Trakas and Clancy, the vote was taken. It was even at 3 to 3 when it was Chairwoman Sholanda Webb's turn to vote. She became emotional as she realized it was up to her to decide the matter, not wanting to impose restrictions on those objecting to the bill. She would also oppose her fellow Democrat women if she sided with the Republican men. "I think we need to do something. I really do." Webb said as she choked up. "We need to tell people it's not okay to be standing in the street. It's not okay to have your children in these streets." She voted for the ordinance, passing it 4 to 3.
While the measure did pass, it must still get by another Democrat; County Executive Sam Page. The margin was not enough should he decide to veto the ban on walking int he streets of unincorporated St. Louis County.
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