A controversial panhandling ordinance outlawing soliciting near intersections was approved by the City-County Council Monday night after weeks of debate.
The amendment was passed by a vote of 15-13, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.
The new ordinance makes it illegal for anyone, from beggars to charity groups, to solicit within 50 feet of a traffic light or stop sign.
The current ordinance was passed in 2005, and state law prohibits "aggressive panhandling."
Indianapolis' new ordinance doesn't even have the word "panhandler" in it. The ordinance restricts anyone holding a sign.
Detractors said the ordinance unfairly targets the poor, promotes class warfare and violates First Amendment rights.
"Youth groups should not be fined for holding car wash signs on the sidewalks," said City-County Councilor Angela Mansfield.
Those in favor of the ordinance said it addresses an ongoing safety issue, keeping motorists eyes on the road and solicitors off the street.
It was already against the law for panhandlers to enter traffic to take donations, a police officer had to witness it before making an arrest.
Police will now have the power to keep solicitors 50 feet away from traffic stopped at any intersection in the county.
Wheeler Mission, an organization that has fed, clothed and sheltered the homeless for 116 years, said the stricter ordinance will help those they serve.
They hope it will encourage more kind-hearted residents to drop money into one of five downtown donations boxes, instead of handing it to a panhandler, who may be a scam artist.
So far, the $7,000 from the drop boxes has gone directly to 47 Indianapolis agencies that directly help men, women and children living on the street.
"It's going to discourage people from giving to panhandlers and, hopefully, encourage them to give to organizations like Horizon House, Wheeler Mission, Good News and others who are really on the front lines serving the homeless," said Steve Kerr, of Wheeler Mission.
Police made 140 arrests under the current ordinance last year. This year, they have already made more than 140 arrests, with four months left in the year.
The new 50-foot rule will go into effect as soon as Mayor Greg Ballard, who supported it publicly, signs it.
The amendment was passed by a vote of 15-13, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.
The new ordinance makes it illegal for anyone, from beggars to charity groups, to solicit within 50 feet of a traffic light or stop sign.
The current ordinance was passed in 2005, and state law prohibits "aggressive panhandling."
Indianapolis' new ordinance doesn't even have the word "panhandler" in it. The ordinance restricts anyone holding a sign.
Detractors said the ordinance unfairly targets the poor, promotes class warfare and violates First Amendment rights.
"Youth groups should not be fined for holding car wash signs on the sidewalks," said City-County Councilor Angela Mansfield.
Those in favor of the ordinance said it addresses an ongoing safety issue, keeping motorists eyes on the road and solicitors off the street.
It was already against the law for panhandlers to enter traffic to take donations, a police officer had to witness it before making an arrest.
Police will now have the power to keep solicitors 50 feet away from traffic stopped at any intersection in the county.
Wheeler Mission, an organization that has fed, clothed and sheltered the homeless for 116 years, said the stricter ordinance will help those they serve.
They hope it will encourage more kind-hearted residents to drop money into one of five downtown donations boxes, instead of handing it to a panhandler, who may be a scam artist.
So far, the $7,000 from the drop boxes has gone directly to 47 Indianapolis agencies that directly help men, women and children living on the street.
"It's going to discourage people from giving to panhandlers and, hopefully, encourage them to give to organizations like Horizon House, Wheeler Mission, Good News and others who are really on the front lines serving the homeless," said Steve Kerr, of Wheeler Mission.
Police made 140 arrests under the current ordinance last year. This year, they have already made more than 140 arrests, with four months left in the year.
The new 50-foot rule will go into effect as soon as Mayor Greg Ballard, who supported it publicly, signs it.
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