Akron City Council made it easier for police to ``hassle'' beggars downtown when it updated the city's panhandling ordinance on Monday.
The ordinance regulates begging, but does not ban it outright because courts have held that panhandling constitutes free speech.
The ordinance, first passed in 1994, already restricts panhandlers from approaching cars and bus stops.
It is now also illegal in Akron to beg within 20 feet of an ATM, bank, school, church, street cafe and Canal Park, Lock 3 and the Civic Theatre.
Door-to-door begging also is prohibited if private property owners have asked the person to stay away or have posted no-soliciting signs.
It's not illegal to sit quietly in public areas with a sign and a cup -- panhandling is defined as asking someone directly for money.
But legitimate beggars must now get fingerprinted at the Akron Police Department and receive a free photo ID, which must be in plain view at all times when they're asking for money.
Anyone arrested for aggressive panhandling -- a misdemeanor -- within the past two years will be denied a permit. Aggressive panhandlers block people's way, threaten them or follow them while continuing to ask for money after being turned down.
Police probably won't be hauling violators to jail because the Summit County Jail rarely has room for those charged with low-level misdemeanors.
Councilman Jim Shealey, D-5, and Councilman Bob Keith, D-8, wondered how much good the law would do if police can only issue a court summons and tell beggars to move on.
``We're going to have to be able to back this up a little more than just giving a ticket,'' said Shealey, chairman of the safety committee, which discussed the ordinance Monday afternoon.
Akron police Capt. Daniel Zampelli said the requirement that a panhandling photo ID be visible makes it easier for police to approach and question panhandlers, check for outstanding warrants and make sure they're in compliance, even if they're not being aggressive.
In other words, it increases ``the hassle factor,'' Zampelli said.
Although jail is unlikely, judges still can order community service and connect them with social services.
Zampelli said that most of the regular panhandlers known to police have places to live and food to eat -- begging is something like a profession for them.
Councilwoman Renee Greene, D-4, worried that giving beggars photo IDs might send the message to children that panhandling was an acceptable profession the city condoned.
Akron Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth said the city wanted to address the needs of downtown merchants and patrons without infringing on free speech or inviting lawsuits, such as the one filed by a homeless coalition against Cincinnati.
``This ordinance is as good as any in the United States,'' he said.
The council also hopes to educate the public about how to deal with panhandlers and steer those truly in need to the agencies, organizations, churches and charities that can help with homelessness, hunger and addiction. |
