So there's no chance San Francisco will do this.

[madbaker]

Somewhat in nitnorth-style...

Atlanta passed an ordinance Monday banning begging within a 70-block, triangular district encompassing Atlanta's largets hotels, convention halls, and attractions.

Comments from the pro-ban side:

"Panhandling has a debilitating effect on the tourism industry, on residents downtown, and on businesses downtown. People are frightened."
"People have called my restaurant to say they won't return after being accosted."

From the anti-ban side:

"Tourism is racism, classism, and segregation."
"We are fighting corporate fascism. I am opposed to apartheid in Atlanta, and this is what we are talking about."

There are good and reasonable arguments to make opposing the ban. You don't help your cause by appearing as a raving loon.
(Any bets as to when the word "Nazi" is used?)

What I'm reading: Neal Asher, Gridlinked

Comments

[ornerie.livejournal.com]

here in seattle, there's an ordinance against "aggressive panhandling". that doesnt stop the "I need $5 to get a tank of gas/bus fare/into a shelter" kind of thing.

but we also have a thriving busking trade (they need to be registered) and we have:

http://www.realchangenews.org/index.html

folks sign up for the program and they sell newspapers on street corners. its a job. a real job. its a cool program. and the newspaper isnt half bad either :)


homelessness and joblessness is a real problem and there probably arent any easy solutions. of course, prohibiting panhandling where you might see it (heaven forbid!) doesnt solve anything except that you dont see it.

*sigh*.