A family in San Fransisco set up a small library loaner box and a bench outside their home on the sidewalk - it sat behind their stairs. And…neighbors loved it. They recently got a notice that they would need to apply for a permit (Minor Sidewalk Encroachment Permit) for $1402.
This is the same city that is allowing tents and motorhomes everywhere with rampant drug use and trash/defecation/needles everywhere. I wish I could interview the city clerk who decided to go after this street library - did they even think how this would look in light of the current street mess? Does this underscore an issue with large bureaucratic governments? The larger they get and the more laws we enact, create a mess that no one can manage with any modicum of common sense.
The incident that kicked the potential crime? An anonymous tip on a San Fransisco call line. A city that allows one single caller who wishes to hide their identity to start a code violation investigation needs to review its processes.
End of the story, at least on this potential crime, it looks like the city will let them keep it and pay a fee of $5.
What? No library in the ZONE? Have you been downtown Phoenix lately?
City paying only a $5 fine!?