by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
Signs warning panhandlers not to ply their trade downtown have gone up in front of the Landing, as the City tries to make the area more appealing and hassle-free for residents and visitors.
The Downtown Development Authority was directed to put up the signs after the City Council approved an updated ordinance three years ago. The City controls the exterior of the Landing, which is operated by the Rouse Company.
Trying to make sure it was complying with “all elements of the ordinance” caused the DDA to be “a little tardy” in putting up the signs, said Executive Director Al Battle.
The dozen or so signs “definitely alert panhandlers that there’s a law in effect, it will be enforced, and there are consequences,” said Battle. “Also, to those who come downtown, there’s a sense we are serious about trying to eliminate the problem.”
The signs were installed by the Traffic Engineering Division of the City’s Department of Public Works.
The Landing has been promoted as the “premier spot” for entertainment, dining and shopping since it opened in 1987.
Thirteen of the 19 Council members introduced the ordinance in May 2000 to promote “a safe and pleasant environment” downtown.
The aim is to allow residents and visitors to go downtown “without interruption” from those whose begging would nullify the City’s “substantial” investment in the area.
Over the previous 10 years, more than $1 billion of public and private money had been committed to rejuvenate downtown with new business opportunities, housing projects, convention sites and tourist draws, the ordinance pointed out.
Council members didn’t want those prospects to vanish because of panhandlers’ pleas and demands for pocket change.
At the time the ordinance was passed, Council members said a little more than $630 million had been committed to improving downtown, including $325.9 million in the Riverfront Enhancement Area.
In addition, private sources had invested $687.8 million in downtown, including $476 million in the Enhancement Area.
Low-key begging would give residents and tourists a bad feel for an area; aggressive panhandling would send them running for safety, the ordinance suggested:
“. . . in certain instances, persons have aggressively solicited cash contributions or payment for services rendered or sought to be rendered from citizens and tourists
. . . creating . . . a fear of harm to their persons or property.”
The ordinance bans anyone from soliciting or begging in the Riverfront Enhancement Area. It specifically bars them from approaching pedestrians or people in cars.
But there may be some judgment calls ahead about just what constitutes “soliciting.”
Just outside one entrance to the Landing stands a lone saxophonist, shaded by an overpass. He coaxes a string of familiar tunes from his horn. Theme songs from “The Flintstones” and “Gilligan’s Island.” “The Wedding March,” for the benefit of a couple walking by hand in hand. And “Deck the Halls,” which seems a bit misplaced when it’s 87 in the shade.
The musician has an upturned cap at his feet. No sign urges contributions, and he doesn’t ask for any. But the arrangement is understood.
Whether he is actually violating the ordinance is not so clearly understood. The the City’s General Counsel Office will have to research the question if a complaint is filed.
Violators may be ordered to take part in social service programs, pay a $10 fine or spend 10 days in jail. A second offense, committed within 60 days of the first one, may result in a $100 fine and 10 days in jail.
For subsequent offenses, there may be a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.
If at least 60 days pass between violations, they would be considered first offenses.
The Enhancement Area covers about 439 acres on both sides of the downtown riverfront area.
Fifty-three percent of those who responded to Downtown Vision Inc.’s 2002 survey felt downtown was “relatively safe.” Seven percent felt it was “not safe.”
Forty percent said their businesses were affected “somewhat” by panhandlers; 13 percent said they were “very much” affected.
Surveys were sent to 1,200 businesses. There were 200 responses.
When asked what aspects of downtown should be changed to improve the area, 62 percent said “remove the panhandlers.” Finishing ahead of that recommendation were “improve parking” (79 percent), “improve safety” (71 percent) and “improve shopping” (70 percent).
John Kiddy, general manager of the Landing, appreciates the City taking a “proactive approach” to the problem and hopes something can be done about “the worst panhandling corridor, going up Hogan Street.”
“It is a problem,” said Kiddy. “Now . . . is it a serious problem? I think if you went to any other town, you’d see panhandling going on. So I think one problem is the perception of how bad it is down here. As we’re trying to develop downtown, we’re also trying to change that perception.”