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Actually it isn't an anti-panhandling law. It's more of an anti-agressive panhandling law. Anyway, here is the article that states what type of panhandling is illegal in Minneapolis:
And here is what it says, just in case the link doesn't work:
Minneapolis City Ordinance 385.60 defines Aggressive Solicitation as:
Verbal requests for money or an item or offering an item or service of little value for a donation in the following locations:
Restroom
Within 10 feet in any direction from a crosswalk
Public transportation vehicle or facility
On any park land, playground or public entertainment venue, including within 50 feet of entry or exits
Bus or Light Rail stop or shelter
Parked/stopped vehicle
Sidewalk café
Entrance of commercial or government building
Within 80 feet in any direction from an ATM or financial institution (previous distance was 20 feet)
At or within 10 feet of gas station, liquor store, or convenience store property
And in the following way:
Involving physical contact
Blocking path/entrance
Following a person who said “no” to ask again
Using obscene/profane/abusive language
Creating fear of bodily harm
Threatening criminal act upon property
Intimidating to person
While under influence of alcohol or drugs
Soliciting in a group of two or more
Soliciting after sunset or before sunrise
If you are confronted by an aggressive panhandler, what should you do?
Call 9-1-1, tell a cop
Don’t give money to panhandlers: Politely say “no”
Not all panhandlers are homeless-many may make up stories to get money to use for drugs or alcohol; when you take out your wallet or purse, you’re more likely to be a victim of a crime
Give money where it will make a difference
Give money to a charity that makes help available to people in need
For more information: www.minneapolissafezone.org/minneapolis/default.aspx (broken link) or call 311
Remember, aggressive panhandling does NOT include:
standing passively, sitting or performance art or a sign or other indication that a donation is being sought, without any vocal request other than in response to an inquiry by another person.
Basically, panhandling isn't as aggressive in Minneapolis as in many other cities. Panhandlers will just shake their change jars or now busking has increased. I've also seen a decrease in panhandlers in general because the government keeps urging people not to give to these people. What do you think? Should that law be adopted in other cities?
seems like pretty fair legislation - I went from Philly to Mpls and have to say that the level of panhandling there was a lot more polite and a lot less frequent than what I had grown accustomed to
it was also a lot more straightforward - the few times I was hit up it was more of a "hey, can I have a buck?" as opposed to the more elaborate story telling approach you'd get in philly
Looks like Chicago's law, although the pandhandlers tend to ignore it. Police are normally busy doing "more important" things, and it's not like the panhandlers are going to pay a fine.
Looks like Chicago's law, although the pandhandlers tend to ignore it. Police are normally busy doing "more important" things, and it's not like the panhandlers are going to pay a fine.
If Chicago has a law like that then it's a good thing. Hopefully the council members will try to find a way to make people more aware of it. On the Chicago forum whenever panhandling comes up there is never a shortage of people complaining about it and giving stories about negative experiences. Maybe if they voiced their concerns more to the city council than on internet forums the police would take more notice of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MimzyMusic
No. The poor are already criminalized enough in this country. Soon it will be a crime to be homeless.
I said panhandlers, not homeless. You can be homeless and not panhandle, and you can be with a home and panhandle.
In theory it sounds okay, but if there's a large number of people who do this, then the police will have their hands full trying to enforce this law, instead of other things that might be more important. On the other hand, (I haven't been there yet, so maybe I'm wrong) Minneapolis doesn't strike me as a place with excessive panhandlers. If it's anything like KC, there's not a whole lot of them out there. So a law might work out okay.
SF I think has the worst panhandling situation in the country. Its ridiculous. Just yesterday I was pulling out of my office building downtown and this idiot hurls himself in front of my car and tells me to give him money. I try to turn the car in another direction but he moves wherever I turn. Finally I get out and scream obsenities at him and hand him a dollar bill(LOL)
Anyway,
this is unacceptable but in San Francisco, its become an everyday occurence-several times a day. People here are torn about what to do.
I've usually assumed most cities have laws similar to those outlined by the OP. Whether there's any observance or enforcement in a given city is another question. SF is home of the most aggressive panhandlers I've ever seen in any city in any country I've ever visited. Harassment that gets physical. It's crazy.
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