Minneapolis Council Tightens Restrictions on Panhandling
Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 12:49 am
- 8 Comments
The Minneapolis City Council passed a stricter ordinance on panhandling Friday morning in a 9-3 vote.
The ordinance makes it illegal to panhandle within 10 feet of a crosswalk, gas station or convenience store property. It is now illegal to panhandle within 50 feet of parks or sporting facilities and before dawn and after dusk. It also is illegal for panhandlers to work in groups.
Before the new ordinance, panhandling was already illegal on public transit or at transit stations, in front of cafes or automated teller machines, inside restrooms or vehicles or while in line at a government or commercial institution.
The ordinance is part of a comprehensive strategy to address homelessness in Minneapolis. Outreach workers also will be hired to provide resources and referrals to social services. Mayor Rybak is expected to sign the ordinance.
Council Members Cam Gordon, Elizabeth Glidden, and Betsy Hodges voted against the ordinance, and Council Members Diane Hofstede, Barbara Johnson, Don Samuels, Robert Lilligren, Lisa Goodman, Ralph Remington, Scott Benson, Sandy Colvin Roy and Paul Ostrow voted for the measure. Council Member Gary Schiff was absent for the vote.
Though Schiff was absent on official city business, he sent an email update to constituents opposing passage of the ordinance. “The city said we would work against the criminalization of homelessness by hiring outreach workers trained in social work and referral services to make sure homeless people had access to services,” Schiff said. “Those outreach workers have not been hired and we are sending a new laundry list to police for arresting the homeless.”
The ordinance has sparked vigorous debate about how best to address the problem of aggressive panhandling. Supporters of the measure say that panhandling is ruining downtown. Star Tribune columnist Katherine Kersten argued this week that the ordinance would reduce “livability crimes” in downtown Minneapolis, citing business concerns, while fellow Star Tribune columnist Nick Coleman pointed to bigger problems facing the city, and that the ordinance takes time and resources away from other crimes, like murder.
The city also will soon launch a marketing campaign called “Give Real Change,” which will encourage people not to give to panhandlers and instead give to charities that serve the homeless.
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter8 Comments
Comment posted June 16, 2007 @ 10:49 am
Nick Coleman’s unassailable logic Nick Coleman’s loopy logic would have all new laws rendered senseless unless they dealt with the next greater level of need. Is he really saying that murder is the only concern of a community. I believe he is.
Comment posted June 16, 2007 @ 11:15 am
Call 911 Spot wonders what the Minneapolis Department think of the new panhandling ordinance and RT and Katie calling 911 whenever they get panhandled? Actually, he has an idea of what the cops might think.
Just imagine it, boys and girls, A black and white threads traffic for six blocks, siren blaring and lights flashing, running red lights and scattering pedestrians, and comes upon this scene: a panhandler has attempted to flee after being hit with several well-placed blows from Katie’s Iron Maiden
Comment posted June 16, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Oops That should read Minneapolis Police Department, of course.
Comment posted June 17, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
The big fat moose on the carpet… …is of course the fact that thanks to the growing divide between the rich and the rest of us, there are more homeless on the streets. But Heaven forbid that somebody in Deephaven or Dellwood or Sunfish Lake forego a second swimming pool to help get these people jobs or an affordable place to live. Heck, they vetoed tax relief for the middle class — they’re sure not going to give anything to the lower classes.
Comment posted June 16, 2007 @ 5:49 am
Nick Coleman's unassailable logic Nick Coleman's loopy logic would have all new laws rendered senseless unless they dealt with the next greater level of need. Is he really saying that murder is the only concern of a community. I believe he is.
Comment posted June 16, 2007 @ 6:15 am
Call 911 Spot wonders what the Minneapolis Department think of the new panhandling ordinance and RT and Katie calling 911 whenever they get panhandled? Actually, he has an idea of what the cops might think.
Just imagine it, boys and girls, A black and white threads traffic for six blocks, siren blaring and lights flashing, running red lights and scattering pedestrians, and comes upon this scene: a panhandler has attempted to flee after being hit with several well-placed blows from Katie's Iron Maiden
Comment posted June 16, 2007 @ 7:52 am
Oops That should read Minneapolis Police Department, of course.
Comment posted June 17, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
The big fat moose on the carpet… …is of course the fact that thanks to the growing divide between the rich and the rest of us, there are more homeless on the streets. But Heaven forbid that somebody in Deephaven or Dellwood or Sunfish Lake forego a second swimming pool to help get these people jobs or an affordable place to live. Heck, they vetoed tax relief for the middle class — they're sure not going to give anything to the lower classes.
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