SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The leadership in Saratoga Springs passed an ordinance earlier this summer that banned anyone from sleeping, lying or camping on most public property. A number of people spoke against the ban during public hearings, saying homeless people were being targeted instead of being helped. A man who’s already been ticketed for violating the new camping rules may face more fines if new rules are put in place for street performers.
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“It’s just spiritual enlightenment and it is enormously entertaining as well. I mean, to hear one of these stories, every single person that has come to hear one has donated money,” explained Bryan Browne. He said he has been telling stories in under a minute to folks on Broadway since he became homeless about two years ago. He said this is his only way to make money amid multiple medical issues. “Six abdominal surgeries and extended periods of illness in between is the short version. It just drained everything from my life slowly and led to this.”
Browne claimed he is unfairly being targeted. “This is street performing, and it is protected under the First Amendment. Now for certain busking activities like drumming, playing the cello, playing the piano, you must sit.” He went on to explain, “There cannot be a law forbidding that because it’s a violation of a person’s constitutional rights.”
Saratoga passes ordinance to ban camping on city streets
Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll said busking, or street performing in the city is regulated. “He is basically becoming a busker, which is a street performer, which is allowed. But we want to make sure the buskers are not allowed to sit in chairs either, so that we need to, when we’re speaking to the attorneys and going through the ordinance, it was really important that we treat everyone equally.” The commissioner said he wants a resolution that will work for everyone in the Spa City and will help connect anyone who is homeless to needed resources. “That’s what the outreach court, you know, traditionally does. It’s a new ordinance. And if there’s any loopholes or fixes that we need to do as we work through it, we will revisit that.”
As for Busker Bryan Browne and his story telling, he said, “They need to be heard. And that’s why I won’t stand down from the commissioner’s mis-enforcement, willful mis-enforcement of this new ordinance.”…