Panhandlers say ban will lead to crime increase

[The Straight Story]

Panhandlers say ban will lead to crime increase

TAMPA, Florida -- Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn made it official on Friday, signing a new law banning people from begging at city street corners.

"Long overdue," Buckhorn said.

But the question of where all those people will go may be a complicated one to answer.

"This is my only source of income," said David Layton, an out of work contractor. "It's just making a bad situation worse."

St. Pete banned panhandling last year. Pasco County did the same this summer. Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bradenton and Sarasota already have bans in place, leaving panhandlers with few options.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/216579/8/Panhandlers-say-ban-will-lead-to-crime-increase

[Deep13]

1. So homeless have a duty to starve rather than to ask for help.

Apart from being cruel and hypocritical, I think it is a 1st Amendment violation.

[customerserviceguy]

2. Just trying to do the usual "clean up" when expecting a major political convention. n/t

[abelenkpe]

3. Id rather let people ask for help than force them to demand

Help through violence. What are these people thinking?

[TwilightGardener]

4. I will say, the panhandlers in Tampa are some of the most numerous and aggressive

that I've encountered. I came to dread going to Publix--had to dodge them and their "out of gas" stories every time I shopped there.