Two notable civic events fill your Tuesday night on Capitol Hill — one that will help determine what decisions the city makes regarding expanding Restricted Parking Zones on Capitol Hill, the other a discussion about what problems a proposed set of pandhandling restrictions would solve and what problems it would not.
First, a reminder that the Seattle Department of Transportation holds a meeting Tuesday night to discuss the creation of new Restricted Parking Zone areas on Capitol Hill. Details on the proposals are here. Meeting starts at 6:30 PM at Seattle Central’s Room 1110.
Over at Seattle U, City Councilmember Tim Burgess will be on hand as the Seattle Human Rights Commission’s Public Safety Task Force holds a panel discussion on “aggressive” panhandling. CHS hasn’t wrapped its head completely around the proposed legislation — while there are a few around the Hill who qualify as merely “irritating” panhandlers, we haven’t experienced anybody we’d describe as truly aggressive in a long time. In fact, some of the Eastside kids doing it for fun need to turn it up a notch if they want to get anything from these pockets. Of course, don’t usually have cash these days anyhow. Maybe they know.
Panel Discussion on Proposed Seattle Panhandling Restrictions
WHAT: The Human Rights Commission’s Public Safety Task Force will host a public panel and discussion on Councilmember Tim Burgess’s proposed restrictions on panhandling near ATMs and parking pay stations, or repeatedly asking for money from a person who has said “no”. Panelists will discuss the pros and cons of new restrictions as well as the enforcement of current anti-aggressive panhandling laws.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Seattle University School of Law
Sullivan Hall, room C5
901 12th Avenue, Seattle
WHO: Tim Burgess, City Councilmember, Chair, Public Safety & Education Committee
Jon Scholes, Policy Director, Downtown Seattle Association
Timothy Harris, Executive Director, Real Change
Anita Khandelwal, Attorney, Defender Association – Racial Disparity Project
SPONSORS: Seattle Human Rights Commission
Seattle Office for Civil Rights
Seattle University Jewish Law Student Association
Seattle University Student Bar Association
OTHER: Panel discussion preceded by the Seattle Human Rights Commission regular monthly meeting 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.; open to press and public.
As a hillite I have to say that this is crazy. After recieved my degree in art therapy including minoring in sociology, I have come to the conlusion that several of the hill spangers just need some attention. Instead of money lets give them HUGS…
A good laugh is a nice way to start the day….thank you!!
Giving money to panhandlers is almost always enabling their problems…
I might give them a hug, except I don’t want to get anywhere near their pit bulls!
“while there are a few around the Hill who qualify as merely “irritating” panhandlers, we haven’t experienced anybody we’d describe as truly aggressive in a long time.”
FALSE.
As an employee who works on Broadway, this statement is totally false. Panhandlers are constantly blocking storefronts and sidewalks, saying rude and often offensive things to students, shoppers, and locals all the time. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY.
Everyone knows that they feel like running across the street when they pass by Dick’s or Chase Bank. Yes–it affects business, and it affects pedestrians.
We’ve had to call SPD numerous times, only for them to stroll along 45 mins later. One officer even said, “there’s nothing we can do…welcome to Broadway”, and rudely left.
I really hope it doesn’t take a serious incident or death for the city to look at these alleged violent drug and alcohol addicts to be taken off our public sidewalks.
I almost never give money to the bum’s. It’s not too often I come accross someone on the street who seems really to be in need. Most are just supplementing their SSI check.