Akron Panhandler Law

(Akron, Ohio) Expect heated debate regarding a proposed city ordinance to control panhandling in Akron. The proposed law would require that beggars be registered and wear badges. It would also limit the locations where panhandling would be tolerated. Specifically, no begging will be allowed "within 20 feet of ATMs, banks, street cafes, Canal Park, Lock 3 and the Civic Theatre."

Business owners, city leaders, police officers and citizens support the idea as necessary to increase visitor traffic and public safety.

Vagrancy advocates from Food Not Bombs and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless have voiced opposition to the proposed measure as a form of branding. They contend that panhandling is a protected form of free speech.

Interestingly, at an Akron City Council meeting yesterday, one police officer, Edward Latchaw, stated that the people doing the panhandling are known to him and none are homeless. Latchaw also indicated that "none of them go hungry."

Jeez! What's a guy to think? The cop on patrol says none of the panhandlers are homeless while the homeless advocates seem to think they are. I'll guess. Maybe the homeless advocates are mistaken and the panhandling is practiced by people who have homes but are too lazy to get real jobs.

Notably, Dayton and Cincinnati have already implemented measures to control begging in their downtown areas with positive results. Cincinnati's law is being challenged in federal court.