Homeless Disappear When Booze Banned

(Tacoma, Washington) The city of Tacoma banned the sale of alcohol by grocery stores in the Hilltop neighborhood in 2002 and the homeless moved out. The area, now rejuvenated, had previously been plagued by crime, drug-dealing and drunken derelicts. Subsequently, the problems associated with homeless encampments migrated to the east side of Tacoma.

Seattle city leaders took notice of the success achieved in Tacoma and are proposing to designate six square miles of the city as a mandatory "alcohol-impact area" (AIA).

From The Seattle Times:

Within the AIA boundaries -- including downtown, Belltown, Capitol Hill, the Chinatown International District, Central Area and University District -- grocers would be prohibited from selling 34 brands of beer, malt liquor and fortified wines, from Olde English 800 and Pabst Ice to Night Train Express.

Later today, a public meeting is scheduled to discuss Seattle's proposal.

Interestingly, I haven't heard a peep out of homeless advocates about the rights of drunken vagrants being violated. Maybe they are in consultation meetings with their legal advisors.