Some benches have been updated while others have been removed. Police are working to modify behaviors on the green. How seating is positioned/clustered and site lines is important in these efforts. If there is a specific location you would like reviewed please let me know.

Ms. Bombero,
Thank you for your honest answer. I can see you did not personally choose to have the benches removed from the Green; however, it is sad to see what measures are being taken to "modify behaviors". Nobody is going to modify my behavior because my behavior needs no modifications.

The benches that were removed were next to and behind the Center Church. They were removed so that the police can more easily monitor who is sitting on the Green. We truly are living in an Orwellian state.

The other benches that were removed 18 months ago (https://seeclickfix.com/issues/3777673) are at the bus stop on Temple Street between the Center Church and Trinity Church. I read your last comment on that issue and I think I can read between the lines well enough.

No benches will be returned until the homeless people go away. This is just one of the many measures being taken by the city to make life as uncomfortable as possible for the homeless. Well, we're not going to just magically disappear.

Tommy - it is dangerous to make assumptions. Homelessness is not a behavior. There are many homeless people who enjoy the green and follow all the rules, regulations and laws. These rules, regulations and laws reflect societal norms. Unfortunately many people - some who are homeless and others who have known stable housing but may be perceived as such, and others who neither are homeless or get mistaken for homeless individuals often break many of these rules while "enjoying" the benches. These behaviors negatively impact others trying to use these spaces.

When we banned smoking in restaurants we removed ash trays there. Think of moving the benches as a way to help reinforce the behaviors that we expect - when your at a bus stop that your waiting for the bus. I fully believe that positive active uses of spaces discourage the negative uses - public drinking, drug use, and in some instances assaults (fights among individuals) that were happening to often in these locations. If there is a bench that you think promotes positive activity that needs to be replaced please let me know.

Ms. Bombero,
Your analogy of removing ash trays from restaurants is not a reflection of removing benches from parks and bus stops. Of course, ash trays were removed because smoking inside restaurants is illegal, but sitting on a bench is not illegal. Removing benches from parks and bus stops is a poor strategy which affects everyone. Why should all of the law abiding citizens have to suffer because of the few who break the law?

I believe all benches, especially the benches at bus stops, promote positive activity for the most obvious reason of all... by allowing people to have a seat. Please keep in mind, some of the elderly and disabled folks are now forced to stand while waiting for busses because there are fewer benches.

The issue has been resolved. If you need to report a new issue please do so in See Click Fix or call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Trees at (203) 946 - 8004. Thank you.