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City registering those seeking handouts. 58 licenses are on the books
By Phil Trexler
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Jun 04, 2008
Dale Zenner was in his car passing by a panhandler in Akron a week ago when the thought struck him.
''Man, I was hungry and I needed some money, so I said to myself, 'Hey, I can do that.'
''So I got me a piece of cardboard and a marker and here I am,'' he said holding a ''Will you help?'' sign while taking handouts from Route 8 motorists in Akron.
Not only is the 50-year-old Zenner making ends meet until his military pension comes in, he's doing it according to a still-new city law.
Zenner is a card-carrying registered panhandler, holding one of the 58 licenses the city has issued.
He signed up with the city last week and said he made $15 in about 10 minutes' time. Some have handed him French onion soup or chicken sandwiches. Others have hurled just insults.
''Really, some days are better than others,'' he said. ''It was great soup.''
Two years ago, the city of Akron passed legislation hoping to get a handle on panhandlers by forcing them to register with Akron police and giving them stricter guidelines on where they can ply their trade.
Zenner's permit is valid for 10 days. But since the registration law took effect, 33 applicants have been issued a more-formal version that includes a background check and is good for a year. There is no charge.
''To me, registering with the police is just a formality. They're trying to keep track of the criminal element,'' said Zenner, who hasn't worked since 2003 because of his health. ''It's no big deal, really.''
Police say the law change has fortified their ability to enforce the city's panhandling ordinance, thereby reducing complaints by downtown merchants and pedestrians.
Cities across Ohio have tried various laws to keep panhandlers at bay. Akron is only the most recent to revamp its law with registration requirements.
Akron police say registration has helped keep the number of beggars constant and curbed some aggressive behavior. But it has not eliminated the practice and panhandling citations are up, mostly because of the new law.
ID gives some credibility
Another registered panhandler is 53-year-old Stanley Richeson. He lives in Ravenna but he sometimes finds himself panhandling in Akron after visiting friends and family or seeking medical treatment.
He signed up with the city in February. He said the panhandler ID, complete with his photo, gives him some credibility as he holds his ''Will work for food'' sign.
''It looks more legal with the badge,'' Richeson said in a phone interview from his home. ''People know you worked with the Akron Police Department and what you go through to get that badge.''
The application process involves a visit to the police department where the panhandler answers a series of questions, including criminal history and telephone and address, if any. Those who have been convicted of violating the city statute more than once are ineligible for the ID card.
Akron's had a panhandling law since 1994 that barred anyone from soliciting for money from passing cars or buses.
In 2006, amid complaints of too many panhandlers aggressively approaching citizens, Akron made it illegal to beg within 20 feet of ATMs, banks, schools, churches, street cafes and Canal Park, Lock 3 and the Civic Theatre.
The law also bars panhandling after dark and prohibits beggars from blocking the path or excessive questioning of passers-by. They are also barred from making false statements about the need for money, such as for gasoline or a tow truck.
A violation of the ordinance is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
When the ordinance was originally proposed, it was immediately panned by homeless and free-speech advocates, who said the new law would infringe on individual rights while doing nothing to address the problems that put people on street corners begging for food or money.
Brian Davis, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, said the concern among advocates is that government will continue to pass stronger and stronger measures to appease citizens until ''homeless people disappear from the planet.''
He said outreach and jobs are the solution to panhandlers. And Akron's law is ripe for a legal challenge, he said.
''I've always thought the best strategy was to get people real jobs. That would be more successful than these silly laws,'' he said.
David Lieberth, Akron's deputy mayor of administration, pushed for the stricter laws two years ago. The intent was to address the complaints of downtown merchants and patrons without stepping on the free-speech rights of panhandlers.
He said panhandlers still work the city and he was recently approached by an unregistered panhandler.
Lieberth said he believes the law has curbed aggressive behavior.
''Overall, the opinion is that there is less now than before the ordinance,'' he said.
Akron police Capt. Dan Zampelli said it is difficult to gauge the ordinance's effectiveness simply through statistics.
Since 2006, for example, officers can issue citations for panhandling simply because the solicitor isn't registered.
In 2005, the year before the law change, 41 panhandling citations were issued, according to Akron Municipal Court records. The number rose slightly in 2006 to 47.
27 citations so far in '08
Last year, the first full year under the law, police issued 62 citations. So far this year, 27 have been issued.
''The law has made enforcement much easier,'' Zampelli said. ''And the summonses are up for that reason.''
Police say the ordinance has kept the number of panhandlers stagnant and complaints by downtown workers and business owners are down.
Nowadays, downtown begging is done by a small group of about a half dozen people, most of whom are not registered and most of whom are the source of complaints, Zampelli said.
''So, it's kind of a vicious cycle. We see the same people,'' he said.
Phil Trexler can be reached at 330-996-3717 or ptrexler@thebeaconjournal.com.
Dale Zenner was in his car passing by a panhandler in Akron a week ago when the thought struck him.
Get the full article here.
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