Controversial anti-panhandling measure moves forward

Judy Mama panhandles on Wednesday at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Pine Street in Seattle. Judy Mama panhandles on Wednesday at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Pine Street in Seattle. Photo: Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com Photo: Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Controversial anti-panhandling measure moves forward 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A City Council committee on Wednesday passed a controversial measure designed to target aggressive panhandlers -- an action that business interests say is needed to restore order but others say unfairly singles out Seattle's poor.

The Public Safety and Education Committee passed C.B. 116807 by a three to one vote, with Councilman Nick Licata voting no. The measure now moves to the full council, which almost always approves things that have passed out of committees.

The bill says people can't block someone, use threatening or aggressive gestures or profane language, solicit someone using an ATM or repeatedly solicit someone who has already said 'no.' Violators could be fined $50.

Councilman Tim Burgess, who proposed the bill, said his plan "does not ban panhandling anywhere," but rather targets aggressive behavior designed to intimidate people. The former Seattle policeman said the ordinance was part of a broader push to change approaches to crime and punishment, with an aim to reduce incarceration.

Several audience members held signs reading "Target Poverty, Not The Poor."

Matt Fox, a local musician who does social work, urged council members to vote no.

"You can't legislative making people feel comfortable," he said, adding that people cited won't be able to pay the $50 fine and will eventually face criminal sanctions. "They can't afford a cup of coffee, let alone a $50 fine."

Ruth Yarrow said the anti-panhandling idea was wrongheaded. "I do feel afraid for the heart of Seattle, we're going to become a heartless city."

But business representatives said the situation downtown had gotten out of control, making residents and visitors feel unsafe.

Jerri Lane of Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau said the city was getting a bad reputation nationally. "Once a city is branded as unsafe, the stigma is extremely difficult to shake," Lane said.

Two amendments offered by Licata - to specify that the ordinance be effective only after the council enacts legislation to pay for new police foot patrol officers, without using existing bike patrols, as well as increasing outreach services for homeless people - were rejected.

Mayor Mike McGinn hasn't taken a position on the legislation, other than to say he has concerns about how it would be implemented.

The Seattle Human Rights Commission voted last week to oppose the measure. In a letter to the City Council the commission said the legislation targets the city's most vulnerable and that people could be denied their due process rights.

Councilwoman Sally Bagshaw said she would support groups that work with the homeless and monitor the effectiveness of the anti-panhandling bill.

"If at the end of the year it's not working I'm going to be the first one to stand up and say it should be repealed," Bagshaw said.