Justin_stacy
07/07/03, 05:53 PM
Cincinnati Registers Panhandlers
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
CINCINNATI — These days identification cards are needed for everything from driving to renting movies, and now the Cincinnati City Council has passed a new ordinance that requires people who want to beg for money to register with the city.
"It gives the police another tool to go out and to get aggressive panhandlers off the street," said council member Pat DeWine. "It will simply just be a registration, typical ID card that a vendor might have."
The program, modeled after one in Dayton, Ohio, requires panhandlers to fill out an application and receive a panhandler card, free of charge.
Supporters say the ID cards give police a tool that enables them to crack down on aggressive panhandlers who threaten public safety and hurt the city's tourism industry.
Business owners add that the ordinance is business-friendly.
"Our rights are the ones that should really be considered here," said Ray Cappel, who owns a party supply store. "I don't think in any city that you are ever going to get rid of panhandling in general, but I think it will cut into it deeply."
But opponents say it is unrealistic to think the cards will do anything to deter begging.
"It will not stop panhandling in Cincinnati," said Georgine Getty, director of the Coalition for the Homeless.
Getty said better ways are available to solve the problem of panhandling, and the city ordinance deprives individuals of their right to free speech.
"You are being treated like a criminal and you have to go and you have to register and just go through this added hassle," Getty said.
Dayton police say panhandler registration has been weak. Since 2001 when the program started, only 100 people have signed up. But they stress the policy has cut down on aggressive panhandling.
In Cincinnati, police are banking their ordinance will bring home even better results. Since the program went into effect last month, 123 people have registered. Those who are caught violating the registration rule face a warning on their first offense. Second-time offenders face a misdemeanor charge, punishable by a fine up to $250 and imprisonment up to 30 days.
DeWine said so far four people have been charged with violating the ordinance since it became law in mid-June.
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
CINCINNATI — These days identification cards are needed for everything from driving to renting movies, and now the Cincinnati City Council has passed a new ordinance that requires people who want to beg for money to register with the city.
"It gives the police another tool to go out and to get aggressive panhandlers off the street," said council member Pat DeWine. "It will simply just be a registration, typical ID card that a vendor might have."
The program, modeled after one in Dayton, Ohio, requires panhandlers to fill out an application and receive a panhandler card, free of charge.
Supporters say the ID cards give police a tool that enables them to crack down on aggressive panhandlers who threaten public safety and hurt the city's tourism industry.
Business owners add that the ordinance is business-friendly.
"Our rights are the ones that should really be considered here," said Ray Cappel, who owns a party supply store. "I don't think in any city that you are ever going to get rid of panhandling in general, but I think it will cut into it deeply."
But opponents say it is unrealistic to think the cards will do anything to deter begging.
"It will not stop panhandling in Cincinnati," said Georgine Getty, director of the Coalition for the Homeless.
Getty said better ways are available to solve the problem of panhandling, and the city ordinance deprives individuals of their right to free speech.
"You are being treated like a criminal and you have to go and you have to register and just go through this added hassle," Getty said.
Dayton police say panhandler registration has been weak. Since 2001 when the program started, only 100 people have signed up. But they stress the policy has cut down on aggressive panhandling.
In Cincinnati, police are banking their ordinance will bring home even better results. Since the program went into effect last month, 123 people have registered. Those who are caught violating the registration rule face a warning on their first offense. Second-time offenders face a misdemeanor charge, punishable by a fine up to $250 and imprisonment up to 30 days.
DeWine said so far four people have been charged with violating the ordinance since it became law in mid-June.