AGENDA #5d

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Quarterly Report on Panhandling

 

DATE:             September 7 , 2004

 

 

The Council has requested quarterly reports on panhandling.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In March 2003 the Council amended the Town’s Solicitation Ordinance to include limitations on solicitation at night, and prohibitions of solicitation along roadways, shoulders and medians.  During the months of April and May 2003 all police officers received training on the new ordinance.  During this same time officers issued warnings to solicitors who were in violation of the new provisions.  Issuance of citations began on June 1, 2003. 

 

DISCUSSION

 

In Fiscal Year 2003-2004 twenty-seven citations were issued, twenty-five in the Central Business District.  The violations were for:

 

            Aggressive Panhandling               1

            Along the Roadway                                1

            Near a Bus Stop                                     2

            Near a Financial Institution                      2

            After Dusk                                           21

 

During the same time period in Fiscal Year 2002-2003 eleven citations for panhandling were issued, nine were for offenses in the Central Business District.

 

SUMMARY

 

We believe that issues of aggressive panhandling have been reduced by consistent enforcement of the ordinance.  Central Business District foot officers will continue these efforts, particularly as pedestrian traffic increases in the fall.  As was done last school year, Police Department personnel will work with the UNC staff to address downtown safety issues for new students.