MONROE — Call the cops.
That’s the message the Monroe City Council has for anyone hassled by an aggressive panhandler.
Mayor Geoffrey Thomas said the city has recently received a number of complaints about panhandlers. The council on Tuesday reviewed the city’s solicitation law. Because aggressive panhandling is already a crime, the council decided to educate people about the existing rules instead of making changes.
“We have a code on the books that protects citizens from aggressive panhandling,” Councilwoman Patsy Cudaback said. “There’s not an outright ban on people asking for help.”
Asking for money is not a crime in Monroe but soliciting in a way that is intimidating or poses a risk to public safety is illegal.
People have to call 911 and make a police report when they are approached by an aggressive panhandler in order for the crime to be prosecuted, Police Chief Tim Quenzer said.
The situations people have been describing to city officials via Facebook and at City Council meetings sound like crimes, but nothing has been done because the incidents were not reported to police, Quenzer said.
Now, the city plans to educate people on the law by sending information out with utility bills and posting it on social media. It will also work with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce to teach business owners how city laws cover panhandling and trespassing.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
