A nonprofit called No One Left Offline is interested in installing WiFi hotspots around Phoenix.
But most city councilors say they’re afraid that free WiFi will attract homeless people.
Joe Slaughter is Phoenix’s Community and Economic Development Director.
“We want to make sure that we’re not attracting people into an area where there isn’t any place for them to be," said Slaughter during a city council meeting. "We could have issues with people parking or hanging out on people’s property that are vacant just because they want to use the WiFi.”
Other councilors are concerned the project would hurt local businesses that offer internet access, like coffee shops or restaurants, and free wi-fi would cause large groups of people to loiter downtown. There were additional concerns that the project could be a COVID risk by encouraging people to gather around hotspots in large groups.
Councilmember Ketzal McCready argued that giving homeless people internet access would actually be a good thing.
“While I understand that loitering is something that can make people uncomfortable and it could maybe prevent people from using a space in the same way," said McCready, "I guess that this is what this packet and this organization is trying to encourage, is creating an inviting space where people are able to go after opportunities.”
City council voted to table the proposal until further notice.
Phoenix city officials did not respond to requests for comment.
