City officials plan to explore ways to reduce the number of beggars on the streets without violating anyone’s rights.
Akron City Council on Monday repealed the only laws on the books that governed panhandlers after a lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio. The law restricted where and when beggars could ask people for money and required them to register with the police. Beggars who passively sought donations with signs or a cup were exempted from the law’s requirements.
Christine Curry, spokeswoman for Mayor Dan Horrigan’s office, said the mayor intends to push to relieve poverty instead of punishing those struggling with it.
“Our hope is to make the necessary improvements to better the quality of life for everyone,” she said. “We want to look at all the factors that contribute to poverty, but specifically we want to look at homelessness.”
Boosting access to health care, education and affordable housing might help attack poverty at its roots, she said. Efforts include job fairs, data analysis, an upcoming health summit and working with Stark State College’s new Akron branch. Because Horrigan only took office in January, his administration is still examining the problem to develop an approach to it.
When the Beacon Journal sought comment from Akron residents, few were willing to talk on the record. Those who did talk said they felt uncomfortable or guilty when approached by beggars, though they said outlawing the practice altogether isn’t the answer.
“I wish the city would do more to limit it, but I also understand that panhandlers might not have another way to make money,” said Rima Vasudevan, 21, adding that getting beggars in contact with public resources might help curb the problem.
She said she feels uncomfortable when approached by beggars, especially at night. However, she said it could be worse.
“I’m from India,” she said, “and there, they can come up to you and they can touch you. So I was definitely more comfortable when I came here.”
Anthony Saidi, 42, said he views aggressive panhandlers as a safety risk.
“I can take care of myself, but not everyone can,” he said. “If it’s night and someone approaches you, that can be a little threatening.”
He said some beggars in the city do more than simply hold signs or ask for spare change. There’s a man who frequents the area near Gabriel Brothers on West Market Street who washes windows without asking and demands money in return, Saidi said.
In the end, Saidi said he trusts public officials to address the issue.
“I don’t know what the answer is, to be honest,” he said. “That’s why we elected these smart people to be our leaders.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ.