Lima committee moves on panhandler vote

LIMA — In order to outlaw panhandling, the city might first have to define the ways panhandling can be done legally.Members of Lima City Council's Safety Services Committee chewed on that irony Monday as members searched for ways to deal with people begging for money in the city. The subject first came up at last month's committee meeting. Members said they had heard from residents with complaints about being approached by men asking for money specifically on Bellefontaine Avenue and Kibby Street. Committee Chairman Derry Glenn said he recently stopped to talk with the man who was standing on Bellefontaine Avenue with a sign and got an ear-full from passing drivers on both sides of the issue.“One man honked, very outraged, yelling, ‘Why don't you guys do something about that?' … Other people were yelling, ‘Derry, why don't you leave that man alone,'” Glenn said.Committee members discussed a variety of ways they would like to address the issue, ranging from requiring panhandlers to register with the city to banning the act completely. Law Director Tony Geiger said the latter action would likely end with the city in court.“The Supreme Court has been pretty clear on the issue and we have to be aware that someone standing out there with a sign is protected by the First Amendment,” Geiger said.Committee members spent close to 45 minutes debating the subject before settling on a system by which people wanting to ask for money in the city would be required to register and receive a lanyard identifying them. The city will also set regulations as to the times and places people can beg. If police officers see people begging without a lanyard or at the wrong time or place, they can charge them.Councilor Teresa Adams said she hopes that will give police the tools needed to stop people from panhandling in the city.“I'd like to see something drafted ... something that will hold up in the court of law and keep it from becoming a bigger issue,” Adams said,Councilor Jesse Lowe said he had doubts any of the people currently seen begging in town would bother to register.“They haven't taken the time to walk nowhere and get a job or anything, I don't think they're going to take the time to go get a permit,” Lowe said.The committee voted to have Geiger draft legislation that will be reviewed at their next meeting.