A homeless man protests Atlanta's anti-panhandling ordinance in 2005 by "lying-in" on City Hall lawn.
Are cities giving panhandlers the bum's rush?
Panhandling on public transportation can get you a year in jail in Medford, Ore. Telling a lie while asking for money in Macon, Ga., is illegal. And in Minneapolis, begging in groups is banned. Cities across the United States are stepping up efforts to restrict panhandling, especially in downtown shopping areas.
In the past year, more than a dozen cities -- from Olympia, Wash., to Orlando -- have passed or strengthened such ordinances. At least four more are close to adoption in Texas, Hawaii, North Carolina and Washington state. Just this month, officials in Nashville, Fayetteville, N.C., and St. Petersburg, Fla., have passed laws severely restricting panhandling in their downtowns and popular tourist destinations.
Are "no begging zones" and other anti-begging measures appropriate? Or is asking for money simply another way of exercising freedom of speech?
Thoughts
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Bus tickets for panhandlers?
Submitted on January 27th, 2008 by Jim LakelyNice. You just export your problem. What did the people of San Diego do to you? Besides, it's raining and cold now in Southern California. And we have our share of smelly bums. I know. I take public transit every working day.
Free speech? This is a First Amendment issue? Please. Free speech does not allow harassment. Ask any pro-life advocate in front of a clinic that performs abortions.
I like some of the suggestions of Mike S. Adams, especially the stuff along the lines of "Yes. I'm a Jehovah's Witness. Before I give you a dollar, let's chat a bit. ..."
Red, blue, buy a bus ticket.
Submitted on January 26th, 2008 by davebarnes"Panhandlers are a public nuisance".
Yes they are.
But they have the right of free speech.
If idiots did not give them money, then there would not be panhandlers.
The solution is not an ordinance banning begging, the solutions are:
1. Buy panhandlers a bus ticket to warm and sunny San Diego.
2. Shoot the people who give them money.
Helping beggars
Submitted on January 26th, 2008 by Monkey DavidNo question...it feels better to reach into my pocket and hand some change to the homeless guy. But does it really do anything? Even if the guy spends the money on a room for the night, rather than drugs or alcohol, what good does it really do? There's a multiplicative effect to helping organizations that help these people...every dollar really translates into more than a direct dollar's benefits. This is kind of counter-intuative to conservatives, since generally a TAX dollar is filtered through layers of bureaucracy is lucky to provide a penny or two of benefits to those it was supposed to help. But there are two difference here: one, the obvious fact that private charitable organizations generally do a better job than the government. Second, most people on the streets are not there because they are poor. They are there because of fundamental mental problems. The poverty, addictions, and homelessness are just symptoms. That requires long term work with people, not just someone sparing a dime...
The vote graph makes no sense
Submitted on January 26th, 2008 by Another skepticWhat does it say? What's the question?
Isn't the case for anti-panhandling laws obvious?
Submitted on January 26th, 2008 by BenPanhandlers are a public nuisance, period. So it's right for cities to regulate and indeed outlaw the practice of begging for money. The First Amendment argument has never been terribly compelling to me. Panhandlers disrupt business and discourage tourism and traffic, which in turn depresses sales tax collection. Of course cities should do something about that!
Now, maybe that's obvious. I had some difficulty actually finding solid American sources making the case for anti-panhandling laws. I liked that FAQ from the British homeless assistance group because it was the most unabashed. But I think the principles extend across the Pond, as it were.