SALT LAKE CITY — Mayor Ralph Becker could back off some of the more stringent restrictions on panhandlers currently being considered under a proposed ordinance.
"There are some parts that are … difficult to enforce," Becker told KSL-TV's "Sunday Edition."
To that end, the mayor said he does not expect the final ordinance to include restrictions on panhandlers making false claims about being homeless, disabled, a veteran or a stranded out-of-towner — all of which would be illegal under the ordinance as it is currently written.
The ordinance, which has been in the works since last summer and is expected to be presented to the City Council this year, targets "aggressive" panhandlers.
"The person that's standing on the sidewalk, asking for money, that's not the practice we're trying to control," Becker said.
Instead, the proposed ordinance would prohibit panhandling within 20 feet of sidewalk cafes, lines of people waiting to be admitted to a vehicle or place, street vendors, bus stops, entrances to some religious establishments and ATMs.
Panhandlers also wouldn't be allowed to block traffic, impede a pedestrian's path or ask for money while walking "behind, ahead of or alongside" someone.
Panhandling before sunrise or after sunset also would be outlawed.
Karen McCreary, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah, said the ordinance's time, place and manner restrictions could be unconstitutional, and the ACLU would likely be willing to represent panhandling plaintiffs if the city were to pass the ordinance.
Downtown Alliance executive director Jason Mathis and homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson said they support the ordinance and would encourage people to donate to organizations rather than give money to panhandlers.
e-mail: afalk@desnews.com