Does the political party of Indianapolis mayors influence how they deal with panhandlers, or is it just coincidence?
Steve Goldsmith, a Republican, used the police to crack down on panhandlers, pushing many of them out of downtown.
In his eight years, Bart Peterson, a Democrat, was more tolerant of people on the streets and directed police resources elsewhere.
Now Republican Greg Ballard is considering ideas to follow up on a campaign promise to deal with panhandlers.
Ballard wants to enforce existing laws and try to persuade people to give to not-for-profits rather than panhandlers. He also might propose an ordinance like those in other cities that charge a hefty fee in order to allow panhandling.
Like prior administrations, Ballard distinguishes between panhandlers, who usually have homes, and the homeless.
Are downtown panhandlers a problem? Should something be done, and if so, what?
Steve Goldsmith, a Republican, used the police to crack down on panhandlers, pushing many of them out of downtown.
In his eight years, Bart Peterson, a Democrat, was more tolerant of people on the streets and directed police resources elsewhere.
Now Republican Greg Ballard is considering ideas to follow up on a campaign promise to deal with panhandlers.
Ballard wants to enforce existing laws and try to persuade people to give to not-for-profits rather than panhandlers. He also might propose an ordinance like those in other cities that charge a hefty fee in order to allow panhandling.
Like prior administrations, Ballard distinguishes between panhandlers, who usually have homes, and the homeless.
Are downtown panhandlers a problem? Should something be done, and if so, what?
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Or is it the result of the republican business community looking for a scapegoat for their loss in revenue lately? Instead of believing it is George and Mitch’s economy that is actually at fault?