Michael - I used to think laws of this nature were unjust too. That was until I moved to Whittier.
In Whittier, our zealot panhandlers may be homeless, they may live nearby or they may not live anywhere around here. Their reason for panhandling isn't to get money to pay find housing or buy clothes to find a job. Their reason for panhandling is to buy liquor at the liquor store near Franklin and Nicollet or to buy crack, heroine or whatever else is the "high" of the day. Many are already inebriated or high when they panhandle and they bother people at bus stops, walking by or in their cars. When you refuse them, some of the get down right angry and threatening. My neighborhood worked long and hard to revitalize Nicollet and turn it into the thriving commercial corridor it is today. The last thing we need is unbridled panhandling on Nicollet. The continued vibrancy of Nicollet depends on people visiting the convention center and other people who live in the region to visit and eat in one of the many choices of restaurants. I also frequent Downtown regularly. I use Block E, I go to plays and concerts at the theaters, events at the Target Center and I shop downtown. I have been hassled by panhandlers downtown. And, while I may have the ability to send them on their way, other people are more shaken by it. Those are the people who will go away and not come back. We need our downtown to thrive and we need people to feel safe when they visit downtown. Barb Lickness Whittier ===== "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
