New Downtown Panhandling Laws Prompt Fewer Arrests

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati leaders say that they think their new panhandling laws have been successful without being too extreme.

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Panhandler Arrests Are Down This Year

San Francisco, for example, has billboards of business people holding cardboard signs reading, "I want to walk a block without getting hassled for money," WLWT Eyewitness News 5's John London reported Friday.

But locally, the city is still fighting to make downtown shopping a friendlier, less confrontational experience, London reported.

London talked to several folks walking the streets downtown, who all agree that in the eight months that the new laws have been in effect, they've noticed a change for the better.

"I've only run into one person who was trying to panhandle after dark, and I think he was probably ignorant of the law," Robert Manley told London Friday.

"They just liked to invade your space," Bessie Battle said. "They'd be on top of you almost. But now, that doesn't happen so much anymore."

The citations are reportedly declining. Since the new restrictions began, police have made just 19 arrests, London reported. The new restrictions include:

• Panhandlers can no longer solicit at bus stops
• They can't be within 20 feet of an ATM
• They can't solicit at crosswalks

A downtown street vendor said that he thinks downtowners have the recent racial unrest on their minds when panhandlers approach.

"The public comes downtown, and because of all the issues that's going on in Over-the-Rhine, they're really, really intimidated and afraid of people," licensed vendor Michael Holey said.

With the holidays right around the corner, the ordinance will face its biggest test yet, London reported. Just one unpleasant encounter downtown could force some to leave the city in search of holiday shopping at malls in the suburbs.

"I have the feeling, but I can't substantiate it, that it might be more of a concern to women than to men because of the element of physical concern there," Cincinnati City Councilman David Crowley said.