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News covering policy and issues related to city and county governments in the Ozarks.

City Council Discusses Bill Striking Aggressive Panhandling Law

City of Springfield

Springfield City Council is considering striking city ordinance that deals with aggressive panhandling.  At a meeting Monday, members discussed the alternatives to the ordinance.

City attorney Dan Wichmer said there are other measures in place to deal with people asking for money who pose a threat.

"If you have fear for your safety, if you have somebody who's being profane to you--you have disturbing the peace and you have assault.  We have officers make the call, our officers will come out.  They look at those issues, and we make determinations on prosecution just as we do right now with the solicitation ordinances," he said.

Credit City of Springfield
Springfield City Attorney Dan Wichmer Addresses Council

He said panhandlers could also be ticketed for obstructing traffic or obstructing the use of a sidewalk under city ordinance.

But Council member Kristi Fulnecky expressed concern about eliminating the aggressive panhandling law.

"If you're in someone's face, and you're asking for money, and you're getting rid of this aggressive ordinance, you know, you can't prevent that, and that's what I'm concerned about because you're really tying the hands of police officers here," she said.

Council members Ken McClure and Craig Hosmer said there needs to be a measure in place to address safety concerns when people panhandle near traffic.  Hosmer said he’s witnessed safety concerns firsthand.

"I've seen people try to hand money, change drops, and the person's out there on their knees picking up money and the light changes, and somebody's going to get killed out there, and regardless of whether the city has any liability I still think as a matter of public policy we should try to make the laws that protect people--both the motoring public but also the person that's panhandling," he said.

Wichmer said there’s an ongoing examination of what ordinance might be permissible under a court order that was issued in December.  A judge approved a preliminary injunction that prohibits the city from enforcing its aggressive panhandling law.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.