Bars on benches dismay homeless advocate

BARRIERS: Bars have been installed on four benches in the CBD in a trial to prevent people from lying on the seats. Picture by Matai O'Connor

BARS have been installed across four bench seats in Gisborne's central business district to prevent homeless people from lying on them.

But an advocate for the homeless says education is needed, rather than putting up a barrier.

A business in the city centre asked the Gisborne District Council to do something to stop people lying on seats in front of their stores.

A decision was made to trial the bars on four seats in response to an ongoing issue for retailers first raised with the council in August last year, council liveable spaces manager De-Arne Sutherland says.

“Two shop owners were very concerned about a person who was lying on the seats during the day verbally abusing passers-by.

“This behaviour was deterring people from walking past, entering shops in the vicinity or using the two adjacent disability car parks.

“One business owner called the police 12 times over a month with their concerns about the verbal abuse.

“GDC received a Request for Service to remove the seat but staff decided this would penalise other users, so instead opted to trial the bars as a possible solution.”

The cost of the bars was $150.85 a seat, a total of $603.40.

Lizz Crawford, founder of Oasis Community Shelter — a facility for homeless people — says people need to be educated on the health effects of homelessness and the need to spend wisely on helping them, rather than attempting to prevent them from having a basic comfort.

“A bench seat allows them to be off the cold, wet ground and doubles as a bed in some places around the city.

“Some of these guys wear multiple layers of clothing just to keep warm, even when the sun is out.

“They may also have heart conditions, arthritis (gout) and diabetes.

“Put a squab (long cushion) there instead. That would be more comforting and purposeful.

“Spending on preventing congregating or sleeping means we are not seeing the full picture of the lives our people have.

“They are us and we are them,” Ms Crawford said.

“Businesses in the CBD could pull together and roster a lunch and coffee for our people who are always so appreciative of the gifts.

“That would be money well spent. It is one way to connect rather than disconnect.

“As the manager of Oasis Community Shelter I have seen our communities pull together from all walks of life because of compassion, kindness and aroha.

“Let's do that instead of taking away the little they have access to.

“We lay stones in concrete under bridges and confiscate their property.

“We need to stop and learn compassion, kindness and aroha.”