Alright, there’s a better way to discourage people from sitting on a perfectly at-sitting-level wall. I know someone owns this special wall, and has every right to spray paint whatever message they want on it. Of course, we’re all about private property rights here in Raleigh. So screw those who might rest their private asses on a private wall.
The context of this wall is probably important to note. It’s at a private building next to a group home on Snow Ave just off Morgan St. Draw your own conclusions.
So, if anyone else is considering building a prime sitting ledge along a public sidewalk, here are some more sensitive ways to discourage persons from resting on your private ledge.
1. Plant shrubs that hang completely over the wall. Most regular folks don’t like to sit on woody hedges.
2. Build the wall so that it is not at optimum sitting height. If people have to jump or climb up onto it they’ll probably be discouraged from sitting on it in the first place. Might as well sit on the sidewalk.
3. Have the mason create an angled wall top. This way sitters will just slide off and back onto the sidewalk. It will be awkward and surprising for them but they won’t know you did it by design. It might even evoke that special classy wall look that will surely increase property value--and who doesn’t want that?
4. Use your petroleum jelly and coat that thing down. Not only will scary people slide off the wall but rain and snow won’t cling to it as well. How dare those natural elements intrude on your private property.
Any of these solutions would create a better neighborhood vibe than spray painting “NO SITTING” on a wall--but really it shouldn’t matter if someone is sitting on someone’s planter. A vibrant community is not supported by isolation and fear.
