St. Petersburg Times; St. Petersburg, Fla.; Oct 19, 2001
Abstract: The City Council passed an emergency ordinance Thursday banning public urination and defecation on city property - all in response to a man who dons goggles, feeds pigeons and then dumps his urine in a public park.
The park is in District 1, City Council member Richard Kriseman's district. He said he began researching the subject and discovered the city has no law banning public urination and defecation on city property.
Kriseman also suggested the city look at passing a law banning residents from dumping large amounts of bird seed at city parks.
Full Text: Copyright Times Publishing Co. Oct 19, 2001
The City Council passed an emergency ordinance Thursday banning public urination and defecation on city property - all in response to a man who dons goggles, feeds pigeons and then dumps his urine in a public park.
The man and his wife, who were not identified at the council meeting Thursday, visit a park at Sunset Drive and Central Avenue every morning. They sit back-to- back on a blanket dressed in sweatsuits, don goggles and set out bird seed. Pigeons swarm all over them, some from the sky, others apparently arriving with them in their car.
Later, the man takes off his sweatsuit, urinates into a container in the car while his wife holds a blanket around him. Then they dump the urine into the park, said Neighborhood Partnership director Susie Ajoc.
Neighborhood groups have complained about the couple's activities. Someone even took a videotape of the couple to show public officials. The police have talked to the couple.
The park is in District 1, City Council member Richard Kriseman's district. He said he began researching the subject and discovered the city has no law banning public urination and defecation on city property.
"Aside from being disgusted with the idea . . . we all live here and that someone is doing this on property where we all go, where our children play, I felt we needed to do something about it," he said.
Council member John Bryan said he hated to write an ordinance for one individual.
He was also concerned about people who might be playing soccer or some other sport at a city park with no bathroom facilities, who might not be able to wait until they found a restroom. He didn't want the law to apply to that situation.
"I understand Mr. Bryan's concern," said City Council member Bill Foster. "But if it's a one-time deal, it's usually over before the police get there."
Council members also made sure the law would not apply to children 13 years old or younger.
The emergency ordinance would last until Nov. 9. City Council members hope to hold a public hearing and pass a permanent ordinance. Violators could be subject to as much as a $500 fine.
Kriseman also suggested the city look at passing a law banning residents from dumping large amounts of bird seed at city parks.
But he didn't want to prohibit a little old lady from feeding the birds at Crescent Lake, so he referred the suggestion to a city subcommittee for discussion.
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