Panhandling Ordinance on Horizon at Rancho Cordova City Hall
Panhandling could soon become a thing of the past in Rancho Cordova.
The Rancho Cordova City Council considered an ordinance on Monday that would ban panhandling around motor vehicles and transit stops. The ordinance would specifically ban panhandling on median strips, within 200 feet of an intersection, at transit stops and on transit vehicles.
Council Members expressed concern over some of the implications of the ordinance, such as whether the Mr. Pickles mascot or teenagers holding a car wash would be affected by its restrictions.
“How does it fit with what commonly happens?” Vice Mayor Ken Cooley asked. “I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, but I think people would not be happy if suddenly we have passed an ordinance that has rebounded in that way.”
City Attorney Adam Lindgren said that the new ordinance will not have any effect on mascots, but people going into traffic for donations would be in trouble.
“What it doesn’t allow is for someone, whether they’re a Cordova Football Lancer or a fireman or a homeless person, to go out into the street and put themselves in danger to try to get money,” Lindgren said.
Sala Thai sign wielder
Rancho Cordova POP officer Shelly Hodgkins attested to the dangers of people entering the roadway for donations, such as the ”Fill the Boot” firemen at Greenback Lane and Sunrise Boulevard.
“That firemans’ fundraiser is a law enforcement nightmare,” Hodgkins said. “It’s crazy that they do that… I don’t think anybody from Citrus Heights PD will get up here and say they’ve never caused a crash.”
The Council will re-address the issue on Aug. 17 at their next scheduled Council Meeting at City Hall, and the public is welcome to comment on the proposed ordinance.
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Posted by Anne Lowe
on Jul 22 2009. Filed under Public Safety, Viewpoints.
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Your on-line news looks great! I live in western Washington and last week in a small weekly paper I saw a letter to the editor describing the panhandler policy Tacoma, WA has. He was highly recommending that our town of Covington, WA adopt their rules. It is quite comprehensive. You might want to check it out.
Several towns in Washington have banned the firefighters entering the streets to collect money in their “boots”. I, for one, am opposed to this
practice because it causes traffic snarls, unfairly intimidates person to contribute to their cause and I do not make “cash” donations. I prefer to send donations by check or debit card. PS-I lived in Rancho Cordova at one time and I think people are so “time conscious” that they do not like to stopped in traffic when they are on their way to work, dental appointment, picking up kids from school, etc.
Keep up the good work reporting the local events.