Council Aims For Tighter Panhandling Laws

[dateline] -- Are you intimidated by panhandlers downtown? Some tough new restrictions on their activities could be on the way.

Columbus City Council members want to broaden the scope of the current panhandler law and were scheduled to meet Monday to discuss various proposals, NBC 4's Tanya Hutchins reported.

Panhandling involves intimidation and that's different from begging.

Councilmember Andrew Ginther is sponsoring the legislation, saying he wants to address people panhandling near banks or ATMs, near parking meters or public parking lots where people are fiddling for change, along with outdoor patios.

The specific types of locations aren't addressed in the current city code.

Specific proposals include increasing the distance from ATMs where panhandling would be allowed, establishing a similar distance from parking meters, parking lots and outdoor patios, and establishing hours during the day when certain types of solicitation would not be allowed.

The actual offense would be improper solicitation after dark -- a misdemeanor charge.

Many of the neighborhoods affected are the Short North, Arena District and downtown.

Business owners have complained about panhandlers intimidating customers in the past.

Monday's meeting marked the first reading of the legislation and council could vote on it next week, after a second reading.

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