FAST FACTS:
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 12/2/2009) In a room at the Center City Commission sit the people who are looking to make downtown Memphis a better place.
"We still have a problem," says Center City Commission President Jeff Sanford.
That problem is panhandlers. The aggressive ones, who they say harass and beg downtown Memphis visitors for money. Right now, panhandling is regulated by ordinance, you must have a permit, but the center city commission says its time for some changes.
"We have people that refuse, that live here in Memphis in the outskirts that refuse to come downtown because they don't want to be hassled by the aggressive panhandlers," said Larry Bloom, Public Safety Coordinator for the CCC.
Bloom has studied the problem. He is recommending the city create panhandling zones. Panhandlers, under the proposal, would not be allowed within 50 feet of places like a bank or within 25 feet of a bus, trolley stop and in some cases within 25 feet of people.
"This has never been about the homeless. It is been about the quality of life offenders. These guys have significant criminal histories. This is their job to come downtown everyday, to panhandle, to aggressively panhandle, make money," said Bloom.
The commission also wants alcohol free zones, where single beer sales will not be allowed, saying it goes hand in hand with panhandling. Bloom recognizes this isn't going to be a total solution but maintains the quality of life for those who come downtown.
"We have a lot of work to do but this sets us on the track. We've got to do something. We've got to take action because we have so much at risk economically," said Bloom.
Only eight people applied for panhandling permits in November. Aggressive panhandling carries a fifty dollar fine. The commission will take its proposal to the City Council.
- Center City Commission Proposing New Panhandling Ordinance
- Wants Panhandling Restrictive Zones
- Proposal Going To City Council
danya.bacchus@wreg.com
(Memphis 12/2/2009) In a room at the Center City Commission sit the people who are looking to make downtown Memphis a better place.
"We still have a problem," says Center City Commission President Jeff Sanford.
That problem is panhandlers. The aggressive ones, who they say harass and beg downtown Memphis visitors for money. Right now, panhandling is regulated by ordinance, you must have a permit, but the center city commission says its time for some changes.
"We have people that refuse, that live here in Memphis in the outskirts that refuse to come downtown because they don't want to be hassled by the aggressive panhandlers," said Larry Bloom, Public Safety Coordinator for the CCC.
Bloom has studied the problem. He is recommending the city create panhandling zones. Panhandlers, under the proposal, would not be allowed within 50 feet of places like a bank or within 25 feet of a bus, trolley stop and in some cases within 25 feet of people.
"This has never been about the homeless. It is been about the quality of life offenders. These guys have significant criminal histories. This is their job to come downtown everyday, to panhandle, to aggressively panhandle, make money," said Bloom.
The commission also wants alcohol free zones, where single beer sales will not be allowed, saying it goes hand in hand with panhandling. Bloom recognizes this isn't going to be a total solution but maintains the quality of life for those who come downtown.
"We have a lot of work to do but this sets us on the track. We've got to do something. We've got to take action because we have so much at risk economically," said Bloom.
Only eight people applied for panhandling permits in November. Aggressive panhandling carries a fifty dollar fine. The commission will take its proposal to the City Council.
