Information on the Downtown Memphis Panhandling Ordinances

Information on the Downtown Memphis Panhandling Ordinances

Tomorrow, two proposed ordinances designed to curb disorderly panhandling downtown will be introduced to the city council. The ordinances would ban the sale of single beers (think 40oz beers at gas stations) within the core of downtown and restrict panhandling to designated areas.

The hope is that by banning single beer sales and limiting panhandling areas, it'll be easier to curb drunken, disorderly and aggressive panhandling. Unfortunately, this sort of panhandling is common, and it causes discomfort visitors to the city and residents of downtown and leads them to believe that downtown isn't a safe area.

It's important to note that these ordinances are not aimed at downtown's homeless population -  they're not the problem. The problem is the hardcore panhandlers, the ones that follow people down the street, the ones that yell, and the ones that won't take no for an answer.

If you support these ordinances, there are several ways to show it. The ordinances are being introduced to the city council tomorrow morning at 8:30. Please contact your city council representative and let them know how you feel about the proposed plan. You can also sign the Center City Commission's petition to support the ordinances.

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Shaun Fossett
Anything that aims to get aggressive panhandlers under control gets my vote. I'm all for helping those who have truly fallen on hard times and need to eat, but the number of intoxicated panhandlers I've seen downtown over the years is crazy. They yell, they curse and on a few instances I've seen, they've even threatened people. Plus, I would hate for tourists to get the wrong idea about our great city.
February 22, 2010 1:53pm
Price Edwards
I totally agree, Shaun. There are avenues for the homeless to seek help, and hassling downtown visitors is not it. I have seen panhandlers follow people into restaurants trying to get money out of them. I have had a panhandler literally follow me up to my car. Panhandling is how many of my non-Memphian friends think of Memphis, and that is a shame. Downtown is definitely not the extent of the problem but getting it under control there would be a start. Price
February 22, 2010 2:04pm
I Love Memphis…
[...] The panhandling ordinance that I mentioned a few days ago was approved by the city council safety committee. This means that [...]
February 24, 2010 3:09pm