Some viewpoints from members of Park Slope Parents:
Here’s one:
Not sure if the stoop is in the public domain or not, but to clarify,
the sidewalk is in the public domain, but the owner of the adjoining
property is still responsible for it. I’m a native NYer and I
believe its ok to sit for a moment on the bottom step of a stoop as
long as you are being considerate that its also someone’s home.
and another:
No, stoops are not public domains and yes, every owner has the right to allow or disallow stoop sitting depending on their personal preference. That being said, I personally, enjoy the “social aspect” of the stoop as long as respect is maintained–hence the “stoop rules” and my enforcement of them–if you smoke, swear or are too loud, you either stop or you leave. Yes, this means talking to stoop-sitters, but if you do or don’t want them behaving in a certain way, that’s what you’ll need to do.
and another one:
There are so few public resting places in our neighborhood. You can
walk for blocks and blocks and not pass a public bench. Try talking
a hungry/tired kid into walking two extra avenues out of your way to
reach a park bench, as one poster suggested. It’s just not viable.A couple other thoughts on the matter:
A grown man or woman “alone” may very well be in need of a resting
place for any number of reasons. Not only children get sick, tired,
etc.Fear of being sued by a stoop sitter — really!?! Time to move to a
bubble or at least a gated community.
Since when is talking to people a “negotiation?” Won’t a simple
“excuse me” work to navigate around a stoop sitter?Smoke & noise violations into the home space are another thing
entirely, but it seems a shame to sacrifice a fine, urban tradition
because of a few bad seeds.The original poster had the right spirit — it is “borrowing” and
that’s what neighbors do from each other.
“Buy a building?” I suppose, if I can’t afford one, you’d prefer I stay out of your neighborhood? Wouldn’t want your property values to go down.
If you’re incapable of simple neighborliness, perhaps a move to one of the gated communities would be in order. Or a compound in the boonies, with the obligatory sign: “Trespassers will be eaten.” New York is a crowded place. Perhaps you might be more comfortable somewhere with fewer people inconveniencing you by sitting on your stoop.
People have reason to hate the entitled, mean-spirited, miserly, ungracious, self-centered, litigious boobs that seem to increasingly gravitate to Park Slope. You, sir, may well be one of those boobs.
If someone owns a building, the stoop is part of that building. It is absolutely private and NOT in any way, shape or form, public property. Beyond the legality of the issue, it is rude and obnoxious to trespass on someone’s property without their explicit permission.
The stoop of an Park Slope Building like the front lawn of a suburban home. Is it OK for you and your friends/children to plop down and have a picnic, a smoke or simply hang out on stranger’s front lawn in suburbia? No. Treat the Park Slope building owner’s stoop the same way.
Make the mistake of hanging out on my stoop and I’ll tell you very strongly and strictly, once, and only once, to leave it and never return. Give me any lip, and the Police will come and remove you and I WILL press charges.
So, in conclusion, watch out where you decide to park your tired, fat ass. If it isn’t a city bench, or a something clearly marked “public” it isn’t yours to sit, rest, or simply be on.
Want a stoop? Buy a building — they’re cheap right now.