[ From "City approves stricter panhandling laws," By Eric Lindberg, Daily Sound, Aug. 19, 2009 ]

City leaders agreed to a series of stricter laws regulating aggressive panhandling in Santa Barbara, but the new legislation won’t be enforceable until the city establishes a charitable giving campaign to support homelessness recovery efforts...

“We are not under a societal obligation to give out alcohol and crystal meth,” Councilmember Das Williams said. “That is where a considerable amount of money that is given out to the public is going.”

... Under the new law, “abusive” panhandling would be outlawed outright, while “active” panhandling would be regulated. Abusive solicitation involves blocking someone’s path, following someone after they decline to donate, threatening someone, using offensive words while panhandling or touching someone...

On the other hand, active solicitation — described as verbally requesting a direct donation of money or item of value — would be prohibited only if the person being solicited is at a bus stop, in a car on a public street, in a city parking lot, in an outdoor dining area, near an ATM or in a queue.

Actively requesting alms would also be prohibited while sitting on a public bench or seating area on State Street, Cabrillo Boulevard or Milpas Street...

Passive panhandling, such as merely displaying a sign or using non-verbal indications seeking alms, would also be allowed throughout the city...

Violators face fines up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. The ordinance also bumps aggressive solicitation from an infraction to a misdemeanor offense.

... the bulk of the discussion surrounded the question of when the new laws should go into effect. Since the concept was initially discussed, city leaders had planned to link the stricter panhandling regulations with an alternative giving campaign.

Such a campaign could possibly involve placing donation boxes in participating businesses and along State Street, with proceeds supporting increased homelessness outreach and support. City staffers said the project is moving along and could be approved by early 2010.

Nonetheless, Williams proposed putting the ordinance on the books and enforcing it through the end of the year, at which point it would be suspended if the charitable giving campaign wasn’t approved.

“I believe the community is crying out for action now,” said Councilmember Iya Falcone, agreeing along with Councilmember Roger Horton to support Williams’ proposal.

... City leaders ultimately voted to approve the new panhandling regulations, but will wait until the charitable giving campaign is in place before putting the laws into effect.

Labels: homelessness, panhandling