PORTLAND, Maine — The city is weighing an ordinance change that would prevent panhandlers — and everyone else — from standing in the median strips.
Panhandlers and advocates for the homeless say they’re unsure about the measure at this point.
In a late addition to the City Council agenda Monday, councilors gave a first reading to new ordinance language that would make median strips legally the same as crosswalks: Pedestrians can pass over them to get from one point to another, but they cannot stop and stand in them.
A second reading and council vote potentially will take place on July 16.
City Councilor Ed Suslovic, chairman of the council’s Public Safety, Health and Human Services Committee, said the ordinance change was approved with a 3-0 vote at the committee level. He said the move simply forces panhandlers — and anyone else who might be inclined to stop in the median strip — to move over to the sidewalks. Having pedestrians in the median strips, he said, is a potential safety hazard for both the pedestrians and passing vehicles.
“Most people would agree the median strips were never designed as places to hang out on,” Suslovic said on Tuesday. “This is not an attempt to curtail anybody’s freedom of speech. I’m sensitive to this being perceived as a strike against panhandlers, but it’s not an anti-panhandling ordinance. It’s a pedestrian and vehicular safety ordinance.”
Donna Yellen, director of the Maine Hunger Initiative and organizer with Homeless Voices For Justice — both programs under the umbrella of the Portland nonprofit homeless service provider Preble Street — said her group plans to speak with members of the homeless community this week to gauge how they feel about the proposed change.
“If there is a strong feeling about that, we’ll help organize those people to help them testify at the City Council meeting,” she said.
Panhandlers in the city only are restricted by ordinance language prohibiting “abusive solicitation,” which bars them from following people or making threatening comments or gestures. Simply holding signs near intersections or on the sidewalks requesting money is protected as their constitutional right to free speech.
Kelly Noble, a Portland woman who uses the median strip to ask passing drivers for money, said the new ordinance language regarding the middle-of-the-road stands wouldn’t change much.
Noble, who spoke to the BDN from the median strip on the corner of St. John Street and Park Avenue, said that regardless of what’s on the books, she has been told by police previously that she’s illegally obstructing a public way or jaywalking.
She said police have told her they had been called by passers-by who worry panhandlers in the median strips could cause a traffic accident.
“I know people who have been doing panhandling for 20 years, all over the country,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a city ordinance or not, they’re still going to do it. … A lot of people are one paycheck away from what I’m doing right now.”
Only in the People’s Republic of Portland is panhandling scrutinized more than an Occupy encampment that dragged on for months and months, creating mayhem and crime.
“This is not an attempt to curtail anybody’s freedom of speech. I’m sensitive to this being perceived as a strike against panhandlers, but it’s not an anti-panhandling ordinance.”I am anti-panhandling. Most of them are begging for money for booze or smokes. It’s very uncomfortable, especially when they really try to guilt you. For those who aren’t, a word of advice: Go to your local homeless shelters, charities, and general assistance and get your life back on track. It isn’t going to happen on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams.Side note: Ms. Noble looks pretty well-fed and seems to be missing the hobo gloves.:::Waiting for the backlash:::
Why, just ignore them? What harm are they causing you?
Where I work I have to walk by many people doing this and the ones that follow you or curse at you really do make you feel guilty or at the very least EXTREMELY uncomfortable. When you experience it as much as I do, it really does feel like a form of harassment.
Well that has nothing to do with banning them from roadway medians now does it.
That’s when you call the police.
Uh, it’s the ‘I’m trapped in traffic at a light & this guy is breathing who knows what in my window’ uncomfortable feeling.
Worse, my wife had her purse out and her wallet out, and we hit the light and this guy pops over to the window and she being a compassionate person starts to dialogue w/him. I noticed his eyes locked on her wallet and hit the ‘up’ button to close her window preventing a ‘snatch’.
On the other hand you can make a good living on some corners; and it becomes a job requiring being neat, yet scruffy, a handmade sign, a sense of humor in the face of adversity, and a heartfelt thank you.
What’s wrong with saying “I don’t have any money on me.” and keep walking? They only succeed in making you feel guilty if you let them. It’s not your fault that they’re on the street begging.
I donate to charities I know to be useful like the Salvation Army, Good Shepherd Food Bank, etc. I won’t give anyone one dime of cash money. I give donations all the time to various outlets, so I’m quick to refer them to someone for help. If they are ignorant and rude about it, I walk off.
One time I bought a younger person a Quarter Pounder and milk at McDonalds because he was begging for food not money. Did he not have money because he was a drug addict? I doubt it based on my discussion with him, but even still, my compassion for people has a limit.
“Harrassment” the buzz word of 2012
To ignore means to “not acknowledge”. Some people do not acknowledge panhandling. It causes no one “harm”. But I do believe it harms our nation, and teaches our children it is better to wait to be helped, than to help ourselves. Think of the overall big picture and the message it sends.
yes because all our children are going to look at this group and aspire to be just like them. What harms our nation is the infringing on the 1st amendment rights of these folks. what does that teach our children?
No backlash coming here. You panhandle near a fast food joint, I’ll offer you food. Don’t ask for smokes or alcohol, because I will give you the address of the Goodwill to get newer clothes for your next interview. But I won’t give cash…ever.
Agree FmrMTI…I don’t “pay” them either. Anybody been out near the Bangor Mall in the last couple of days/weeks? You will be treated to this sight everywhere you look. They are at every single median strip going into Walmart, Homedepot, Kohls, Bangor Mall, and the Interstate on ramps. They (mostly men) don’t have backpacks or anything they carry with them. Seems like they’ve been dropped off by a van or something…appear to working as a “team”. I find it embarrassing enough that the homeless, the mentally ill and countless addicts wander Bangors streets, spend their days at the library and now we see dozens of beggars on a daily basis and it’s legal. Imagine what all the Canadian shoppers, tourists and other city visitors think?
Panhandling in the median is a cause for concern especially where this woman chose to do it because it is a traffic hazard with people stopping and blocking traffic. She is in the middle of the road, pretty much, and people have to stop and hand her a buck as they go past.
I’m not anti-panhandling and I think there are too many laws and ordinances to begin with. What started out as the “land of the free and home of the brave” is turning into the “land of the privileged and home of the slave.”
Happy Independence Day everybody!
You never “have” to stop. I always just drive by.
They usually do it by a stoplight or stop sign.
Go to your local homeless shelters, charities, and general assistance and get your life back on track
Kinda sounds like the Scrooge movie when he said to the charity seekers ” are there nor work houses” or” perhaps they should die and decrease the surplus population”
Not sure how I relate to Scrooge as I’m lower-middle class but I have worked to be here. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not so luxirorious but I have tried very hard to be here. I worked my butt off in school, (I went to college early because of that fact) and I worked full-time jobs on top of that by the age of 16. I am by no means “high-and-mighty” but I feel I have earned what I have because I worked for, and therefore, deserve it. I’m not to the point of saying these people should off themselves or be “purged” but when they are spending all of their time begging on street corners, how could do they find time to look for work?
Generally, I will not debate at length a news article.
But your response prompted me to clarify my post. My post was not meant to
suggest you are related to Scrooge. I don’t know you. Your post however smacked
of elitism. From my perspective and solely based on your post, What caught my
attention was the lack of compassion. Your statement “I’m not to the point of saying these people should off
themselves or be “purged” intimates that at some point you will suggest that as
an option. You are not alone, most of us work hard. Some of us are not capable
of great achievements such as yours. There in lays the perfect opportunity for
compassion. You obviously sound angry and I hope you never experience
homelessness or poor health, job loss or bad luck , because we will be there to
help you too. Merry Christmas!!!
Elitish??? She does not sound angry at all. She sounds realistic to me. We involuntarily have $$ taken from our paychecks that in turn is given to many who choose not to work & have every excuse imagined not to support themselves. Involuntary servitude is what it is. I agree with Quartz, bring them into your home, then we won’t have to see them & they won’t be an accident waiting to happen or a lawsuit waiting to happen on our streets.
>>>><<<<
You are welcomed to invite them into your home, however most of the homeless panhandling have families that no longer want to enable their dysfunctional behavior. They most likely have exhausted their welcome at every homeless shelter and charity. They are alcoholic and drug addicts that really don’t care what anyone thinks of them they just want your money.
Most interesting that you
have personal knowledge in everyone’s life. Now that you have achieved this
phenomenal and superior position, perhaps you are in a position to fix the
problem. Lol
how do you know thats what they are spending the money on? because of how they look? Their clothes? How do you label one from the other? Have you actually followed a panhandler and watched where they went? I think you watch the Telly way too much….
and Ms. Noble…how do you know she is well fed? Do you know her persoanlly? Did you know that some medications make a person bloat….hear of Steroids? How do you knwo she isnt on that….
You are the Judge and Jury both…
didnt have to wait long did you?
For those reasons I don’t give hand outs, I donate to reputable charities, etc. How do I know the person standing there is not fake? I can grab cardboard, make a sign and stand out there too and convince people I need help.
I seen stories of people being caught as a phony, if I want to gamble my money to a stranger I may as well go to a Casino, or bet on a horse I have no clue about.
None from me. I completely agree. I ignore them because I give to charities of my choice which they are entitled to pursue. I will not pay for smokes or booze or be made to feel guilty. I work hard for my money & give to the church, soup kitchin & animal shelter or my choosing.
And yes, she does seem nourished.
Whats next? Forcing them to buy government sponsored health insurance?
best comment!! Big dreams!
I say force them to get JOBS, thats a good place to start!
Stated (and spelled) perfectly. :)
Excellent place to start!
Presuming you ran a business… would you hire them off the street ?
Good idea but will never happen, they have rights too you know!!!!(sarcasm) I say let all their supporters give them their checkbooks. I give away enough of my hard earned money in taxes .
That was done during Hitlers reign and in cold war Soviet Union
With the new health care law, if you have no job, you will not pay a cent, BUT WILL BE COVERED…
So who will pay your bill? They don’t magically make the costs of your healthcare evaporate into thin air.
“`Are there no prisons?”…
“And the Union workhouses? Are they still in operation?’ The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour?”
Is the percentage of those taking advantage of people’s charity through bogus pan-handling any higher than those abusing their elected or appointed office? Fraud is fraud. However, we all need to make sure that we treat others as we wish to be treated, regardless of station in life.
HUH?
I’m sure you have invited the homeless to your home for a home cooked meal, a hot shower and gave them some clean clothes.
hey bdn, you should probably be blocking out the license plate of that car…
Why ?
would you like to have the year, make, model, and plate number of your car all over the internet?
Google had to create software to block out the license plates of cars on google earth,
I believe a lawsuit was associated with it.
It’s just a red Volvo wagon. Anyone can get the plate number off it as well as make and model by being behind it in traffic.
Wait, panhandling was part of Lepages Open for Business scheme for poor republicans.
Yep they never panhandled during the Baldacci or King administrations, they just magically appeared a year and a half ago…
Nice of you to admit it. :)
Hope you got the sarcasm.
I have no clue why anyone ever feels guilty if they do not give them money. A few places in Bangor you will encounter people begging and I don’t care what your sign reads or how sad of a look you give me, I’m not giving you my money.
I donate food to Manna and the homeless shelter throughout the year and there are plenty of other food banks in the area that will gladly give you something to eat.
I view these people as nothing more than beggar’s looking for a free handout and I’m not going to provide it. I also love the ones that write “god bless” on their signs. As if that is supposed to guilt you into giving them money.
The sad part though is even if this band becomes law, they will just find another location to ask for your hard earned money.
Why don’t they just make it illegal to be poor and homeless? Too draconian? lol.
And what is your solution?
To the “camps!”
An economy that works well for most, not just a few. More money spent in the “trenches” of mental health and less in the ivory towers in Augusta. Put some people back to work monitoring the flow of prescription pain killers and whose hands they end up in. Chastise anyone who insists that our current state of affairs is a Democrat or Republican thing, they are both guilty of fiddling while Rome burns. Pass a law that requires pan handlers to hold up a second sign that says “May God have mercy on my soul if I use your charitable donation to support a vice”. Just to name a few.
Excellent response.
Thank God! My husband picked up a man to give him a ride one day. As they were talking, this man revealed to my husband that he was a professional panhandler. He had “no interest” in getting a real job. I bet he receives aid from the state too! Yeah Portland.
I live in Windham and I hate going to Downtown Portland. It’s a freakshow most of the time that I just don’t need. We have social services… and lets be frank, if you can work to bum money, you probably can actually work at a job.
Thank you City Council: I was staying at a hotel last year in Portland for a week… Every day I would see the same couple panhandling in a busy Portland traffic median… After a few days, I saw the SAME couple when they rode the elevator with me to go to their hotel room, paid for by donations… They were carrying a shopping bag FULL of booze, paid for by donations… They are all DRUNKS and ADDICTS, no exceptions…!!!!! Never give them a dime… Offer some advice, “Go to an AA meeting…”
If you don’t like it, don’t give to them. Keep your eyes straight ahead, your windows up and keep driving. There’s no need to make such a big deal over petty things such as this. Be careful what you say or do, because it could be you or someone you love who is doing this someday. Don’t say it would never happen to me, because life works in funny ways sometimes.
The discomfort almost all of us have with the presence those disadvantaged by personal choices or by circumstances of life is reason to look inward. Can we in measures individually small and collectively perhaps large raise the prospects for all. How would the old Jewish carpenter advise us to build our house?
THIS ALSO NEEDS TO BE BANNED IN BANGOR
when i was at the zac brown concert there was a guy who went up the line waiting to get in looking for “50 cents for a bus ride”. I just ignored the scum. send a message to the homeless and ignore them and then ban them from doing this. it wasn’t the only time i saw someone doing this in bangor.
we also need to control the surplus population…
just wonder will it go for jsut the homeless/poor or will it apply to the firefighters/police and all the others that do things in the medium. You know jsut asking because if we want it to be fair it needs to be on everyone, maybe offer permits and let them by the space for the day
how is this any different than Wallmart or Hannaford cashier asks us to donate to a charity. i guess its ok when a big corporation does it but not individuals.
“This is not an attempt to curtail anybody’s freedom of speech. I’m
sensitive to this being perceived as a strike against panhandlers, but
it’s not an anti-panhandling ordinance. It’s a pedestrian and vehicular
safety ordinance.”
What a bold faced lie. this guy is a liar.
how many accidents have happened since the panhandling started? how many people have been struck by cars? show some stats to back up your claim. otherwise STOP lying. you and Lepage must be cut from the same cloth
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“I just spent 60 days in the jailhouseFor the crime of having no doughNow here I am back out on the streetFor the crime of having nowhere to go”-The Band ‘The Shape I’m In’