GLENDALE, AZ — Panhandling is being outlawed in Glendale.
The Glendale City Council passed the ordinance which makes almost all cases of panhandling illegal on Tuesday.
Under the law, panhandling will not be allowed:
- in an aggressive manner in any public area.
- in any public transportation vehicle or stop
- within 50 feet of the entrance or exit of a financial institution, check-cashing business, or ATM.
- on private property if the owner, tenant, or occupant has asked the person not to solicit or has a sign posted saying that solicitations aren't welcome.
- within 25 feet of the entrance or exit of any business or private establishment.
- from any motorist in traffic on a public street or stopped at a stoplight or stop sign.
Lupe Encinas tells ABC15 she’s witnessed panhandlers getting “more aggressive.”
“When we’re trying to say no, they’re approaching vehicles,” Encinas said.
She owns Pink Door Tea House in Glendale on 59th Avenue and Myrtle. She says she’s had to call police before because of panhandlers and people experiencing homelessness, adding that her customers and staff don’t feel safe sometimes.
“We have had panhandlers just walk in in general and run into our restrooms and locked themselves in,” she said.
Encinas says she feels for those experiencing homelessness and knows that the new ordinances won’t solve everything.
“I don’t think it’s a solution, but I do think it’s a start, maybe with these new fines, the panhandlers will try to look at different ways of fixing their situation,” she said.
The city says it’s enacting the new rules for the safety of people panhandling as well as drivers.
“We’re not saying the people who need the help don’t deserve the help. We’re steering toward other ways for them to get them help. Just trying to increase safety in our community,” said Rick St, John, the deputy city manager for the City of Glendale.
Homeless advocates, however, say the ordinance just adds more restrictions and hurdles for those who need help.
“This is how they make their money. This is how we buy food. This is their way of life, and people do give them money. That's how they support themselves,” said Terri Jennings, with Arizona Friends of Homeless.
St. John says there are better and more long-term ways to help people experiencing homelessness.
“I think long-term solutions are what everybody should be seeking. We shouldn’t be seeking to put a bandaid on somebody’s problem. We should heal them of that issue and bring them where they need to be so they can sustain,” St. John said.
The city says it did not specifically put this ordinance in place because of the Super Bowl coming to town. St. John said planning has been separate for each.
“Whether we have the Super Bowl coming this year or not, we would be doing these things,” he said.
St. John said it will work with police in enforcement. The law does not go into effect for another month, so he said they will educate people about the ordinance.
The first violation of the ordinance will result in a civil violation. Repeat offenses within a 12-month period will result in a Class 1 misdemeanor charge.
Glendale isn't the first Valley city to take aim at curbing panhandling.
The City of Mesa launched a program late last year that included putting signs at several intersections asking motorists to donate to social services that help people facing homelessness.
