More than hacky-sack

Ursula, Isthmus' advice columnist, entertains a letter defending the young people who hang out in Peace Park on State Street. "Peace Park does have a few unsavory characters," the writer allows, "but it is usually filled with a bunch of kids who are looking for a place to play hacky-sack...or just watch the city go about its day-to-day business." The writer downplays complaints that the park crowd is harassing passersby, saying the kids are too busy "to concern themselves with…uptight, constipated bigot(s)." Ursula is having none of this, reporting that over the past 18 months the 400 block has been the site of one rape, six batteries, five fights, 13 noise complaints and four juvenile arrests. She quotes business leader Dan Waisman as saying that the park is a major problem and that creating a safer environment is a top priority for the Greater State Street Business Association. Twenty years later, the issue has returned to downtown with a rancorous debate over how to deal with the homeless population.