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Back in 2006 when the city of Pittsburgh decided to crack down on “aggressive panhandling,” I really struggled to see the point.
Despite coming from a small town, I have never felt hassled by people who approach me on the street for money. If I have some extra to give, I gladly hand it over. If I don’t, I politely inform them of that and keep on my way. But I can honestly say at no time in my adult life have I ever felt threatened or even bothered by the practice.
But for some people, the thought of being asked for money on the street angers them. To them, a person asking for a dollar for food, or bus fare, or “a bottle of vodka, because shit, it’s my birthday” (true story) is either begging because they’re too lazy to get a job or is begging because it is their job. We’ve all heard the urban legend about our uncle’s neighbor’s wife’s brother who gave a guy a dollar on the street corner, and then later saw the guy getting behind the wheel of a BMW.
The city of Pittsburgh first caved into these ridiculous generalities when it enacted legislation that severely limited panhandling in the city. The law described selective criteria that made it illegal for anyone to engage in “aggressive panhandling.” Among them, the law listed several “captive audience areas” where panhandling was prohibited, including: outside dining areas; admission lines for events like a play or sporting event; near a “food-dispensing street vendor”; within 10 feet of a bus stop; or near a “a place of religious assembly.”
The two most ironic of these prohibitions are panhandling near a street vendor — which has also been mostly regulated out of the city by draconian food-truck legislation — and asking for cash near church. God knows the last thing organized religion needs is somebody dipping into the weekly tithes before the church can.
The city’s law was back in the news last week when a Pittsburgh City Council committee approved an amendment that would prohibit panhandling within 25 feet of any of the city’s automated parking meters. By the time this issue hits the streets, it will likely be approved.
Will it make much difference? It could. The parking boxes are located on every block in highly-traveled areas — locations that would be attractive to panhandlers. Add that to the number of restrictions already in place, and you’ll need a tape measure and a licensed surveyor just to ask for a quarter.
Last year, a federal appeals court in Michigan struck down that state’s panhandling laws as a violation of free speech. Courts have allowed very narrow aggressive panhandling laws to stand, but have generally ruled that the act of begging or asking for money is protected speech.
But despite that, a Pittsburgh panhandler can be cited, fined or —depending on how many previous offenses they have — jailed, just for asking another person for money. But that’s nothing new around here. The city’s panhandling law is as egregiously classist and antisocial now as it was in 2006.
There’s a silver lining, however. This change to the law shouldn’t go unchallenged. The re-emergence of the city’s panhandling issue should be used as an opportunity to re-examine the statute in light of court rulings that have occurred since 2006. The no-beg barriers around certain areas create a de facto ban on panhandling, and if city council wants to widen that area, then it should be forced to show why that’s necessary and to prove that such restrictions don’t violate free speech.
You can call it panhandling if you want to, but speech is at the heart of this issue. The interaction in this scenario is simply a conversation between two people. One person might be asking another person for money, but they’re just talking. In any other social setting we wouldn’t dream of trying to stop two people from speaking to one another. In this instance, however, the question being asked makes some people uncomfortable for one reason or another and that is what led to this prohibition
To allow city council to further widen this law without challenge would be akin to giving them a handout — a practice they obviously have a problem with.
This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2014.
“God knows the last thing organized religion needs is somebody tipping into the weekly tithes before the church can.” “To allow city council to further widen this law without challenge would be akin to giving them a handout — a practice they obviously have a problem with.” “The city’s panhandling law is as egregiously classist and antisocial now as it was in 2006.” “…you’ll need a tape measure and a licensed surveyor just to ask for a quarter.”
Can we curb the attitude and just have an article written about a change in the ordinance? Personally, I do not like being asked for change/money. Most of the time I cross the street to avoid contact, but when there are two people on the same street on opposite sides (4th Avenue) every single day, it’s bothersome and I feel it is an invasion to ask me for my hard earned money. Few years ago I was asked for money for food and instead of giving it, I went to CVS and got a few food items to give to them, when I came out I found this person down the block at a bus stop counting their “wad” of cash. I have to say I agree with the ordinance change, people have approached me as I exit/enter my vehicle in town and it makes me uncomfortable.
I have had people aggressively begging (obstructing my path, grabbing my hand and not letting go), but it’s very rare. I think the city government is very happy about all the national interest in Pittsburgh and they don’t want “anyone important” to see any imperfections. Heaven forbid a millionaire investor getting asked for five bucks for a sandwich.
I only give them money if they’re using it to drink with. Partying is awesome. Poor people should get to do it too.
Regulating time, place, and manner of speech is a legitimate concern where public safety and/or well-being may be at issue. There are panhandlers we all know and like, and to whom we regularly give money. I especially like those who play music, and some play it well. And many of us give time and money and other things to folks in organizations who will feed and clothe those in need.
But Charlie, you are bigger than I, bigger than my mom, bigger than my high-school girl cousin, and I suspect that, unlike the three of us, you do not carry your parking money in a purse separate from your body, through which you must fish in order to get out the change needed. You don’t extract and open up a wallet holding all your important cards which also clearly shows that you are not putting your last dollar into that parking meter. The person panhandling is not breathing down your neck, you do not feel vulnerable. (Ask me another time how I feel about women’s clothing having no pockets or useless ones, I could write a book.)
Aggressive panhandling as an issue is somewhat akin to (though quite different from) “no means no,” and once a panhandler is told “no,” s/he should go to the next person. And that should be somewhere other than where people are taking out their money. (Are we living as in Fiddler on the Roof, when the beggar says “Only one kopek this week?… Because you had a bad week, why should I suffer?”?)
Next time you are dressed to the nines, Charlie, in heels, skinny skirt, and evening clutch, call me. I’ll get someone to stand over you begging aggressively as you fish out cash for the meter, get money out of an ATM, or stand in line outside with money you do not wish to give.
They don’t bother me very much butt i give when i can
Lang- was said “wad” of cash enough to pay rent for a month or buy a coat for the winter? Somehow I doubt it. I hope you still gave them the food.
I thought that giving people money on the street was ” enabling ” and as a society we should try to encourage those on the streets to seek help with our social service agencies ? Still, the reality is sometimes a fellow or a gal just needs a little help , and many people won’t or can not go to a shelter. It is better to offer food than cash to panhandlers, however , in my experience , they do not want a bag or organic carrots.
Just to be clear , Audrey Glickman , who has had a problem with aggressive panhandlers , is an extremely generous, kind, giving individual , dedicated to the common good .
Aggressive panhandling if not a matter of free speech , it drives away customers , and is unfair to people trying to run a biz , or stroll down the street.
Seriously , I doubt that Bill Peduto actually called panhandlers ” the scum of the earth ” in public , or in a post. I do not think Peduto is that candid.
If that post is really by our Mayor Peduto , than it should be the on the cover of the next City Paper
Editor’s Note: I have deleted a comment on the page that was falsely attributed to Mayor Bill Peduto.
Just moved to an apartment in downtown Pittsburgh above Market Square last year and have already had two incidents at bus stops where people aggressively got in my face and asked for money and when I ignored them start to yet and act like they wanted to fight. In both cases I was just about to dial 911 when my bus came and I left the scene. People may be tempted to give these people money but you are just as likely to get sucker punched and have your wallet taken if you succumb to such tactics. If they want to make Pittsburgh safe and clean they need street cameras to catch the criminals in the act and to drive them away from the zones where people live and work. When I walk to work all I see and smell is cigarette butts!
Never will I ever give to people who panhandle! You want something: work for it! That’s how America is. How about you idiot liberals examine some of the *choices* those people made in their lives, and thus, here they are, begging for money. But when offered food, they refuse, saying they want cash. It is illegal to panhandle in PA but our PD fails to enforce it as they should be doing! Myself and other taxpaying Pittsburghers WHO WORK HARD, thank you very much, don’t need to be bothered with scumbags who refuse to work and did nothing but throw their lives away. They have plenty of resources in this town to help them, yet they refuse. Hmmm. Odd. DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY MONEY!!! And the ones on the southside that have dogs with them: the dogs should be taken away from them! You can’t take care of yourself so you’re going to take on a dog to exploit for $$ when the dog could be in a loving home. BS. TAKE THE DOGS AWAY FROM THEM!!!