Councilman to Mayor: Start Enforcing Anti-Panhandling Law

Councilman Nicholas Narducci released a statement on the City Council website calling for Elorza to change his position on the issue

A Providence, Rhode Island, city councilman is urging Mayor Jorge Elorza to reinstate the enforcement of an ordinance targeting panhandlers in the city.

The Providence Journal reports
that the anti-panhandling ordinance passed in 2001 prohibits anyone from approaching others for money in a way that causes "a reasonable person" to fear bodily harm or loss of property.

Councilman Nicholas Narducci released a statement on the City Council website calling for Elorza to change his position on the issue.

Narducci says panhandling creates a number of unsafe situations and that the city isn't protecting the public by ignoring such laws against the practice.

Elorza spokesman Evan England says the mayor's stance remains that the decision to stop enforcing the ordinance was a legal issue.

Advocates say anti-panhandling ordinances violate First Amendment rights.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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