The City of Houston has created the law for it. What are your thoughts?
2006-08-30 11:04:05 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If panhanling is illegal, how will poor people eat and survive? I understand that begging for money is not a very nice thing to do. the panhanders in my town don't get agressive .I don't know if it is illegal in Alamogordo, New Mexico. I guess not if there's people sitting on the curb (where the enterance of the parking lot is) everytime I go to the local walmart . It's kind of a win - lose situation . I feel bad that lots of people go hungry.
2006-08-30 11:27:57 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Panhandling, as in begging, asking people for money?
It's protected speech under the 1st Amendment, as per Supreme Court rulings for quite some time now. A city may regulate conduct, such as repeated contact with someone or harassing someone after being told to stop.
But that law would have to apply equally whether the person were asking for money or singing a song or reciting a prayer. All protected speech is treated equally, and regulations on conduct cannot pick and choose between types of messages.
2006-08-30 12:55:19 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A lot of cities have these laws. I think some kind of law is necessary because panhandlers can become very agressive. I'd have some thoughts if I knew what the Houston ordinance said. Do you have any details?
2006-08-30 11:07:30 · answer #3 · answered by TxSup 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have they done anything to help support the people who ask for help? Other than giving them a warm jail cell to live in for a while? There are some people with various problems who have no other way to support themselves. Yes, I know some people consider them an "inconvience". They should thank GOD every day that they are not in those circumstances, and ask what they can do to help those who are.
2006-08-30 11:13:26 · answer #4 · answered by quagi m 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think a better solution would be to legalize panhandling, but require them to get a yearly license from the local municipality.
2006-08-30 11:11:06 · answer #5 · answered by MeKnow 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
tough one....on surface I would say that leave some poor person who is down on their luck alone....but I have been in some areas where they have been very aggressive....and I know when there are too many it makes people leery about visiting some areas
2006-08-30 11:15:30 · answer #6 · answered by abc 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋