In this specific case, it does kind of seem that way to me.
I sympathize with anyone trying to run a business with homeless people camping out on the sidewalk in front of them, sometimes literally so, resulting in people avoiding the entire area altogether.
I have seen where this dynamic simply causes longstanding businesses to close up at that address.
Yep... And some are professional “occupiers”. I have had some pretty slick operators “occupy” my business.
And local public right of way, easement, and “set back” codes facilitate it. Sometimes right up to the front door of your business.
Yet they force you to pay for that sidewalk when they put it in, and still pay property taxes on it.