Panhandling Ordinance

In April of this year the Memphis City Council passed a controversial ordinance to curb panhandling in downtown Memphis and other areas of the city. This policy and the debate surrounding it re an interesting case study of the clashes among groups within a city. This ordnance, which cut down on passive panhandling (aggressive panhandling is already against the law) and banned single beer sales in downtown Memphis, was backed by a group called the Center City Commission. According to its website, the CCC "is the primary leader in the comprehensive redevelopment of the Central Business Improvement District and the official partnership between local government and the private business community in Downtown's revitalization" (http://www.downtownmemphis.com/ccc.asp). Leading the opposition to this new law was (and still is) the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, an organization in Midtown that helps develop grassroots leads for social change (http://www.midsouthpeace.org/). Facing pressure from both groups, the Council made some amendments to try to make all groups happy. According to an article from the Commercial Appeal on April 13, "To mollify the concerns of some council members and Peace and Justice Center representatives, the council also approved by a vote of 12-0 a resolution sponsored by Councilman Joe Brown that focuses on access to mental-health resources, substance-abuse rehabilitation and housing opportunities for nonviolent or occasional offenders. The resolution called for strict prosecution of violent or repeat offenders" (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/apr/13/memphis-city-council-delay-vote-alcohol-impact-zon/).

Today, almost 5 months after this ordinance was passed, there is still debate. My Fox Memphis recently reported Mayor AC Wharton's implementation on this law. He expressed his concern that this ordinance will help downtown business and make people feel safer in those areas. The article also quoted Brad Watkins from the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, who said that "You can't use law enforcement to deal with a housing issue. And that's what we have here, a serious problem in lack of affordable housing for people who are out on the streets" (http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/082710-mayor's-approach-on-tackling-panhandling).