Spare some change to get me out of jail?
The dirty south just won't let up. ATL just made begging illegal. Apparently, it works like this:
Also referring them to social services is a complete waste of time. The homeless are well aware of the various shelters around town. However, if you've ever spent time in a shelter, you'd know why most people avoid them.
In my experience, all (yes, I said ALL) panhandlers will leave you alone if you afford them some dignity and respect.
Your downtrodden citizens are not an inconvenience.
Under the ordinance, beggars get a warning on the first offence and referred to social services on the second. They can do a short time in jail if they get three citations in one year.The whole reason is to curb panhandling near tourist spots, but I feel it's more aimed at hiding a serious societal issue. With a disproportionate amount of the homeless having mental health issues, treating them as criminals is not a solution (not to mention the infringement upon civil liberties).
Also referring them to social services is a complete waste of time. The homeless are well aware of the various shelters around town. However, if you've ever spent time in a shelter, you'd know why most people avoid them.
In my experience, all (yes, I said ALL) panhandlers will leave you alone if you afford them some dignity and respect.
Your downtrodden citizens are not an inconvenience.
posted by -i- at 09:28
1 Comments:
"With a disproportionate amount of the homeless having mental health issues, treating them as criminals is not a solution (not to mention the infringement upon civil liberties)."
That's a very good point.
Here in Champaign-Urbana, we have a handful of beggars (mostly in the campus town area), and while I have empathy for them, the primary reason I never give them money is because I look into their eyes and don't see anybody at home. So, I figure it'd be pointless.
Many of the beggars I've come across - in big cities and small - don't seem like the kind of people who would actually respond well to an ordinance like the one ATL has come up with.
Still... we'll see.
Post a Comment
<< Home