Providence Councilwoman Rita Williams says she support a proposal to prohibit aggressive panhandling as part of a larger effort to improve Providence. But although the ordinance in question targets only certain forms of asking strangers for money, Williams is clearly troubled by the entire practice. "It's offensive," she says, asserting that panhandlers on Thayer Street target students and intimidate shoppers. "There is no place for panhandling in the city."

Williams isn't alone in backing the measure, which was approved by the council during an initial vote on April 4. Councilwoman Patricia K. Nolan. For example, is convinced that panhandlers are mostly "former or current alcoholics" who want money to buy "drugs and booze."

But Noreen Shawcross, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, asserts, "Most of the people who are homeless spend their time working at temp jobs and aren't panhandling." And while Shawcross was surprised to learn about the proposed ordinance, not having previously heard any complaints about aggressive panhandling, she says, "Any ordinance that targets people who are poor or who may have mental health issues is dangerous for our society."

The proposed ordinance, which is scheduled to go to a second vote on Thursday, April 18, defines aggressive panhandling as following the person being solicited, approaching a person in such a way that they fear bodily harm, or soliciting money from people waiting in line, among other definitions. But while panhandlers can certainly be found on Thayer Street and in other areas of Providence, it's unclear whether they practice "aggressive" means of solicitation.

If the proposed ordinance becomes law, discretion for enforcement would rest with the police and the penalty for "aggressive" solicitation could top out at $500 in fines or up to 30 days in prison. But the idea of fining people who aren't exactly rolling in dough obviously raises other questions.

In fact, a report issued by the National Coalition for the Homeless notes that "Without the ability to pay, fines result in jail time," and would effectively criminalize people looking for a handout. Nolan concedes, "It would be difficult for the panhandlers to pay [the potential fine]." And Council President John J. Lombardi says the city solicitor's office still needs to do constitutional research to determine "whether we can attach a criminal penalty for this."

Issue Date: April 12 - 18, 2002