Should local buisiness people be in favor of panhandling?

[SSG_Schwartz]

In today’s Fayetteville Observer was an article about new regulations regarding panhahanling. http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=283178

On Monday night, the council unanimously adopted city regulations that ban panhandling in a large chunk of the downtown district. This crackdown on panhandlers, meant to place restrictions on how solicitation is handled in the city, also prohibits asking for handouts anywhere after dark or near ATMs, near bus stops or in lines where people are waiting to enter a business.

In the article, a local downtown hairstylist is quoted as saying:

“What’s it to them (the City Council)?” asked McNeil-Jones, after gathering all the hair stylists and customers inside the shop to talk about it.

“They’re not down here when they beg,” she said. “I want to know what is the big deal to them panhandling? They’re [city council members] down here at meetings only.”

she even goes so far as to allow the homeless to use her restroom during business hours.

I understand that there is no quick fix to the homeless problem. I also feel bad that one of the shelters burned down recently and the former owner is not going to rebuild. OTOH, I have been approached by aggressive panhandlers and did not enjoy the experience. I believe that most people do not want to be in the position of being forced to beg for change on the streets and there are probably only a few who make it hard for those that have no where else to turn, but it is those few that make me want to move the whole lot along to somewhere else.

So, is there something wrong with me for being in favor of severely limiting the spare changing going on in my town? Should I see the side of those who don’t see a problem with it? What are your feelings?

SSG Schwartz

[Harriet_the_Spry]

It seems like both you and the salon owner are fully entitled to your own differing opinions here. To the extent that she may spend a lot more time downtown and owns property there (assuming you don’t) perhaps her opinion should carry a bit more weight.

OTOH, I suspect her opinion is in the minority. The councilors were probably not voting their own opinions, but the opinions of the people they represent. So her question “what’s it to them?” misses the point.

[miamouse]

No, they shouldn’t be in favor (as business people). If the area gets cleaned up, more clientele will go there. If it gets cleaned up sufficiently, better clientele will go there and they can raise their rates.

As human beings they should ask what the council intends to do once they deem that all these people should disappear. What’s the penalty for panhandling? a fine? jail? a ‘move along’ to homeless shelter?