San Francisco archdiocese has removed watering devices that drenched homeless people in the doorways of the city’s cathedral.
The archdiocese installed the devices at St Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in response to needles, faeces and other dangerous items regularly being left there.
But the system lacked a permit and may have violated other laws.
News reports observed that there were no warning signs about the devices.
The archdiocese said similar systems are used in San Francisco’s financial district, but admitted the concept was ill conceived at the cathedral.
In a statement, the work done by the cathedral for the homeless was noted.