RC Blog

City Council upholds veto of panhandling ordinance

posted by Cydney Gillis on Monday, May 24 at 3:08pm

In a 4-4 vote this afternoon—apparently enough to do the job—the Seattle City Council sustained Mayor Mike McGinn’s veto of a panhandling ordinance that would have allowed the police to issue $50 tickets to aggressive beggars.

Real Change, the ACLU, NAACP and other organizations had argued that the ordinance, proposed by Tim Burgess, chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, would have given the police a blank check to move along any beggar and that there was no reason to create a new law when Seattle already prohibits aggressive panhandling.

Councilmembers Nick Licata, Bruce Harrell, Tom Rasmussen and Mike O’Brien repeated their earlier votes against the measure. Council President Richard Conlin was absent.

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Comments

Good job Real Change!  This is what Real Change is all about one injustice discovered and disclosed, one protest, one great well written and researched article, one vendor getting the word out…CHANGE.
Full disclosure:  I am a Real Change volunteer and I am so proud to be associated with this organization.

Elizabeth | submitted on 05/25/2010, 7:21pm

What a horrible shame that homeless people who actually need a hand are overshadowed by homeless drunks, druggies, criminals, and people that have just been the scurge of society.  There are people who need help, then there are those that do nothing to help themselves but merely stick their hand out.  I happen to know one of the current homeless in seattle selling the real change paper, and he hasn’t changed in over 30 years.  He’s a chronic alcoholic/drug addict, he’s stolen from and manipulated everyone he ever knew (currently including the real change newspeople), and he’s one of the best masters of lies, deceit, and manipulation that has ever lived. 

What a real shame for the people who need and deserve a real chance.

janie doe | submitted on 05/27/2010, 5:39pm

((I happen to know one of the current homeless in seattle selling the real change paper, and he hasn’t changed in over 30 years.  He’s a chronic alcoholic/drug addict, he’s stolen from and manipulated everyone he ever knew (currently including the real change newspeople), and he’s one of the best masters of lies, deceit, and manipulation that has ever lived. ))

**Sounds like a very talented fellow. He should be in politics.
It also sounds like Janie Doe is a jilted lover.

froggy | submitted on 05/28/2010, 6:56pm

Actually froggy, I lost the loser over 20 years ago, wasted a few on the bum, learned a lot about life, and can tell a loser and user from miles away now.  I have a great life, there is no loss.  But I feel it’s important to point out that there are a lot of bums hanging on to these programs, and yes, they bother the public.  I would not want this scum or anyone like him to approach me, anywhere or anytime, nor would I want them around my family or friends.  People like this are like leeches.  This particular low life turd has ripped off everyone he has ever known, including his parents, insurance companies, you name it.  So, even though I lost the loser, fact remains, he is one of the largest pieces of crap around. 

If I’m ever lucky enough to visit Seattle, I would scream bloody murder if any of these bums approached me.

janie doe | submitted on 06/09/2010, 6:24pm

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