Posted on 06/03/2002 11:15:57 AM PDT by chance33_98
Panhandling Ban Begins In Las Cruces Ordinance Covers Begging, Selling Goods Posted: 1:23 p.m. MDT May 31, 2002 Updated: 1:27 p.m. MDT May 31, 2002
LAS CRUCES, N.M -- Panhandling is prohibited in Las Cruces beginning Friday.
Las Cruces Police Chief Bill Baker said officers would be on the lookout for anyone violating the ordinance adopted by city councilors nearly two weeks ago.
The ordinance bans begging for money, selling newspapers or soliciting donations from anyone in a vehicle. It applies to any transaction that takes place on a city street or median. But it allows the exchange of money if a person in a car pulls into a parking lot or off a street.
City officials contend the law is not intended to rid the city of panhandlers, but to address traffic safety issues related to people standing on medians soliciting money.
Say what it really is without apology... it's to get rid of those pesky ubiquitous leaches that constantly bug you for a handout. The losers need to get sober and get a job. Anyone who lives in a city knows what I mean.
These people just love hanging out by nice restaurants with outdoor seating so they can lean over the rails in the middle of your dinner and ask for money or a fill-up from your pitcher.
I know some people (like me) are really annoyed by those people with buckets asking for money, those bums asking for spare change, and all that crap, but see I have this secret weapon: I just ignore the people! Imagine that, somebody TAKING MATTERS into their OWN HANDS and eliminating a problem on a personal level! Now, if nobody gave panhandlers anything, just how long do you think they'd keep doing it?
I wonder if that includes the hiring of day laborers.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.