PUBLIC SAFETY

Keeping the streets slither-free

By Sam Pfeifle

On July 1, Portland Housing Authority banned pit bulls and rottweilers from public housing. In September of last year, Portland City Councilor Peter O’Donnell tried to ban pit bulls from the Old Port and other downtown Portland areas. Both actions raised some serious consternation among dog lovers here in Portland.

In that light, it will be interesting to see how Portland City Council’s proposed ordinance “making it a violation to display, transport outside of a container, or otherwise handle a snake in a public way or upon public property or within 25 feet of a public way or public property” will be received. The matter’s first reading was Monday, and should be voted on after a second reading and a period of public comment at City Council’s next meeting, Monday October 15.

Councilor Jack Dawson, who, along with the rest of the Public Safety Committee he chairs, sponsored the bill, explains its necessity: “We had an awful lot of complaints from people. One woman had come out of an alley onto Exchange Street and there was a big snake on the ground that surprised her. She almost had a heart attack, she said.”

Apparently, one couple in particular has been spending time in the Old Port with “big ones, boas,” says Dawson. “People were totally grossed out by it. While they’re eating, they’re grossed out. They’re almost terrorizing people, or people felt terrorized, anyway.”

“We decided we wouldn’t have any more of that,” he says.

In notes for the City Council’s agenda, the snakes are made out to be even more of a public safety hazard. “The presence of these snakes raises public safety concerns,” it reads. “Automobile drivers are either distracted by the snakes and the crowd around them or they have to watch out for individuals who suddenly leave the sidewalk area and go into the street to avoid the snake. There are many people who have an inherent fear of snakes and these individuals often take very quick action to avoid being anywhere near a snake.”

And you can count Councilor Dawson among them. “Oh yes,” he responds quickly when asked if he’s afraid of snakes. “Snakes, spiders, rats, and bats. I’d rather face a lion than a snake. They frighten the daylights out of me.”