Panhandlers

[Just the facts]

Too many intersections; the city couldn't afford it.

[Bullbear]

Too many intersections; the city couldn't afford it.

Maybe the city could panhandle each intersection until they have enough to fund the gates and trees on that corner..lol

[Laramie]

Our concern is safety, distracted drivers & general nuisance related behaviors.

Could the city use (pass) some kind of off limits ordinance for certain intersections with signs posted:

One size fits all.

Know the feel that many of you have about this situation; you could be that person down on your luck.

When you donate to a panhandler or group (like firemen), does it really matter who is soliciting?
Could it be that you are annoyed by the fact that someone might just get over on you?

[Urbanized]

Those types of laws are tricky. The Supreme Court ruled that banning panhandling infringes upon First Amendment rights. OKC used to have much more aggressive rules, but they were deemed unconstitutional under that ruling. Today pretty much all the City feels it can do as far as enforcement is to uphold its "aggressive panhandling" ordinance.

[Midtowner]

Could it be that you are annoyed by the fact that someone might just get over on you?

Nah, this is an issue of blight, whether that be by creating trails and erosion where they walk every day or the trash they leave behind. If you want to have an aesthetically pleasing city, this is one way to ruin it. If these people are truly down on their luck, there are many "hand up" programs at their disposal, Workforce Oklahoma, Standby Labor, etc. are all activities which pay money for work.

[Bellaboo]

The city will upon the occasion place no loitering/pandering signs at strategic locations around I-235 and 23rd. It takes the panhandlers about 4 days to bend them over to the point where they break off so they can drag them from the area. That way they can still hang around.

[Tritone]

How much cash can you get at the local recycling place for the aluminum in a no loitering/pandering sign?

[Laramie]

How much cash can you get at the local recycling place for the aluminum in a no loitering/pandering sign

If that's the case, should we be missing more sign?

[warreng88]

ODOT Takes On Panhandling Problem Across The Metro - News9.com

[LakeEffect]

ODOT Takes On Panhandling Problem Across The Metro - News9.com

Is it really a Felony to step off the curb when panhandling?

[Jeepnokc]

Is it really a Felony to step off the curb when panhandling?

Would have to be a state law and I am not familiar with it. Here is city code.

DIVISION 2. - AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING

    






§ 30-428. - Legislative findings.

    



The Council of The City of Oklahoma City hereby makes the following findings:

(a)

The City of Oklahoma City has a duty to protect the rights of all people to exercise their First Amendment rights safely, The City of Oklahoma City has a compelling governmental interest in imposing certain reasonable time, place and manner regulations whenever potential First Amendment activities such as begging, solicitation and panhandling occur on streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, plazas, and other public venues within the City.

(b)

this division is not intended to limit any persons from exercising their constitutional right to solicit funds, picket, protest or engage in constitutionally protected activities. The provisions of this division are expressly established to most narrowly tailor any such restrictions to protect the First Amendment rights of all people within the City as well as the rights of non-participating people and their property, and to ensure the rights and safety of all people and/or property to the extent possible.

(c)

persons approached by individuals asking for money, objects or other things of any value are particularly vulnerable to real, apparent or perceived coercion when such request is accompanied by or immediately followed or preceded with aggressive behavior such as:

(1)

continuing to beg or solicit from a person after the person has given a negative response to such solicitation;

(2)

touching another person in the course of begging or soliciting without that person's consent;

(3)

blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means;

(4)

using violent or threatening gestures which are likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction from the person who is the subject of the solicitation or request for money;

(5)

closely following behind, ahead or alongside a person who has been solicited or asked for money after that person has given a negative response to such solicitation;

(6)

using profane, threatening, or abusive language, either during the solicitation or begging or following a refusal;

(7)

begging or soliciting money from anyone who is waiting in line for tickets, entering a public building or riding on public transportation;

(8)

begging or soliciting in a manner with conduct, words or gestures intended or likely to cause a reasonable person to fear imminent bodily harm, danger or damage to or loss of property or otherwise to be intimidated into giving money or any other thing of value; or

(9)

begging or soliciting in a group of two or more persons in an intimidating fashion.

(d)

the City desires to respect a person's potential right to solicit, beg or panhandle while simultaneously protecting another's right to not be unduly coerced.

(e)

the City further finds that aggressive soliciting, begging or panhandling of persons within 20 feet of any outdoor seating area of any cafe, restaurant or other business, automated teller machine, mass transportation stop, public teller or pay telephone also subjects people being solicited to improper and undue influence and/or fear and should not be allowed.

(f)

persons approaching other individuals in an aggressive manner asking for money, objects or other things of any value after dark in public places inspire alarm and fear, which coupled with the inherent difficulty of establishing identity should not be allowed.


(Ord. No. 22655, § 3, 2-8-05)


§ 30-429. - Purpose and intent.

    



The public purpose of this division is to protect the rights of all peoples to exercise their First Amendment rights as well as the people and/or property of those who chose to be non-participating.

(Ord. No. 22655, § 3, 2-8-05)


§ 30-430. - Definitions.

    



The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a)

"Beg," "begging" or "panhandling" shall be synonymous and shall mean asking for money or objects of value, with the intention that the money or object be transferred at that time, and at that place. "Solicit" or "Soliciting" shall include using the spoken, written, or printed word, bodily gestures, signs, or other means of communication with the purpose of obtaining an immediate donation of money or other thing of value the same as begging or panhandling and also include the offer to immediately exchange and/or sell any goods or services.

(b)

"Aggressive manner" shall mean:

(1)

approaching or speaking to a person, or following a person before, during or after soliciting if that conduct is intended or is likely to cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm to oneself or to another, or damage to or loss of property or otherwise to be intimidated into giving money or other thing of value;

(2)

continuing to solicit from a person after the person has given a negative response to such soliciting;

(3)

intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person without that person's consent in the course of soliciting;

(4)

intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means, including unreasonably causing a pedestrian or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact;

(5)

using violent or threatening language and/or gestures toward a person solicited which are likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction from the person being solicited;

(6)

following the person being solicited, with the intent of asking that person for money or other things of value;

(7)

speaking in a volume unreasonably loud under the circumstances;

(8)

soliciting money from anyone who is waiting in line for tickets, for entry to a building or for any other purpose;

(9)

soliciting in a manner with conduct, words or gestures intended or likely to cause a reasonable person to fear immediate bodily harm, danger or damage to or loss of property or otherwise be intimidated into giving money or any other thing of value;

(10)

begging in a group of two or more persons in an intimidating fashion;

(11)

soliciting any person within 20 feet of any outdoor seating area of any cafe, restaurant or other business, automated teller machine, mass transportation stop, public toilet or pay telephone;

(12)

soliciting any person in public after dark, which shall mean the time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise.

(c)

"Automated teller machine" shall mean a device, linked to a financial institution's account records, which is able to carry out transactions, including, but not limited to: account transfers, deposits, cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and mortgage and loan payments which are made available to banking customers.

(d)

"Public place" shall mean a place to which a governmental entity has title, to which the public or a substantial group of persons has access, including, but not limited to: any street, highway, sidewalk, walkway, parking lot, plaza, transportation facility, school, place of amusement, park, or playground.


(Ord. No. 22655, § 3, 2-8-05)

[Jeepnokc]

Penalty is: Any person found guilty of violating Section 30-431 shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $200.00 excluding costs and fees or incarceration for not more than 30 days or both such fine and imprisonment.

[ljbab728]

A new proposal to place additional limits.

Oklahoma City councilwoman introduces law on panhandling | Oklahoman.com

Proposed restrictions on panhandling are part of a broad effort to attack “explosive” growth in activities that frighten and intimidate many residents, Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer said Friday.

Salyer said the mayor and six of the other seven council members have signed on as co-authors of her proposal to make it a misdemeanor to panhandle from the median of city streets.

The measure also would eliminate exceptions for charitable solicitations. She said violators would be subject to fines of up to $500.

[Dustin]

I once had a panhandler, who was obviously high on something, make his hand into the shape of a gun and pretended to shoot me. Safe to say I don't make eye contact with panhandlers anymore.

[Plutonic Panda]

I once had a panhandler, who was obviously high on something, make his hand into the shape of a gun and pretended to shoot me. Safe to say I don't make eye contact with panhandlers anymore.

that probably wasn't funny when it happened but that's hilarious man

[kevinpate]

Ya know, you might have pitched a pretend grenade and made a kablooey motion, and then shared a laugh, unless of course he started to make stinger motions, cause them you know you just tried, without success, to blow up a zombie panhandler and it's time to get.

[Edgar]

Homeless people are mostly untreated mental health cases that live on the streets until they end up in the justice system. We're a good Christian town. You can tell when they light up the crucifix on buildings in Dec.

[bradh]

Homeless people are mostly untreated mental health cases that live on the streets until they end up in the justice system. We're a good Christian town. You can tell when they light up the crucifix on buildings in Dec.

So what's your answer, or you just gonna sit their on your high horse and lob grenades down at everyone?

[Filthy]

Homeless people are mostly untreated mental health cases that live on the streets until they end up in the justice system.

Well, once they're arrested....they'll atleast have a place to stay. Seems like a win-win situation to me.

[rte66man]

Nah, this is an issue of blight, whether that be by creating trails and erosion where they walk every day or the trash they leave behind. If you want to have an aesthetically pleasing city, this is one way to ruin it. If these people are truly down on their luck, there are many "hand up" programs at their disposal, Workforce Oklahoma, Standby Labor, etc. are all activities which pay money for work.

As one who passes thru the intersection of NW Expy and the Lake Hefner Parkway every workday, I couldn't help but notice that someone has chained a plastic garbage can to one of the signs. The other day, the panhandlers there had an umbrella (for shade) and 2 milk cartons with cushions to sit on when not begging.

[Edgar]

As one who passes thru the intersection of NW Expy and the Lake Hefner Parkway every workday, I couldn't help but notice that someone has chained a plastic garbage can to one of the signs. The other day, the panhandlers there had an umbrella (for shade) and 2 milk cartons with cushions to sit on when not begging.

how luxurious

[SouthSide]

I won't give money to panhandlers as most are not homeless and won't actually work for food or anything else. I do make a point of purchasing the Curbside Chronicle ($2 an issue) which is a project of the Homeless Alliance. You check out it out here: The Curbside Chronicle - Employing and empowering the homeless of Oklahoma City The Homeless Alliance offers interesting statistics regarding the homeless population of OKC. Their survey shows 38% report mental illness and 46% report substance abuse.

[ljbab728]

And we think this is an issue. What if we had this problem? LOL

Topless women of Times Square say they can't be restricted | NewsOK.com

[Plutonic Panda]

I don't think people should be required by law to wear clothes.

[catch22]

I don't think people should be required by law to wear clothes.

If the world were full of attractive people I would agree with you. A quick shuffle through any grocery store should change your mind on that.