Portland will consider prohibition on standing in certain medians
Portland Councilors Propose Median Ban to Curb Pedestrian Deaths
Portland, Maine — In a move aimed at reducing pedestrian fatalities, Portland Mayor Mark Dion and three city councilors are backing a proposal to prohibit anyone from standing, sitting, or driving on certain unsafe medians at intersections across the city. The initiative, part of Portland’s Vision Zero effort, comes amid a series of crashes involving pedestrians, including the death of Jason Ayers in June.
The proposed ordinance would ban activities like panhandling on medians that are less than five feet wide, whether raised or flush with the roadway, except when actively crossing the street. This targeted approach is based on crash data from the past decade, which highlights significant risks at narrow medians, particularly those that are flush with traffic lanes. A staff memo to the City Council identifies 17 specific intersections, including Preble Street and Marginal Way—where Ayers was killed while panhandling—as well as busy areas on Franklin, Congress, Riverside, and Auburn streets, and Forest and Brighton avenues.
Dion emphasized that the proposal is rooted in safety data, not a crackdown on panhandling. “The argument is that if it’s unsafe for cars, it’s definitely unsafe for pedestrians standing in those spaces,” he said. He noted that the language is narrower than a 2013 ban on median panhandling that was struck down by the state’s Supreme Court in 2014, distinguishing this effort as a data-driven safety measure rather than a “blanket restriction.”
The proposal has sparked debate, with some councilors voicing concerns. Councilor Wes Pelletier criticized the timing and intent, calling it “distasteful” to leverage Ayers’ death to advance what he views as a “right-wing political agenda” instead of focusing on infrastructure improvements. “We have the power to save lives, and instead we are finding new ways to blame victims,” Pelletier stated, indicating he plans to propose amendments to address underlying safety issues.
Supporters, including councilors Ben Grant, Sarah Michniewicz, and Regina Phillips, argue that the ban is necessary to protect both pedestrians and drivers. The city’s recent history of pedestrian accidents, coupled with ongoing concerns about downtown safety, has fueled this initiative. Dion recently adopted a more vocal stance on homelessness and substance use, highlighting impacts on local businesses.
The council is scheduled to refer the draft ordinance to the sustainability and transportation committee for review on Monday. Enforcement details, such as penalties, remain premature, according to city spokesperson Jessica Grondin. This proposal revisits past debates over panhandling, but supporters maintain it is a focused response to documented dangers at specific intersections.
