Everett is trying to define the difference between panhandling and “aggressive panhandling”
That means Everett has dropped suggested limitations on panhandling at places like ATMs or lines outside of movies, concerts and sporting events.
Everett also has dropped language that prohibits a panhandler from asking for a donation a second time once they’ve already been told no.
Instead Everett is changing and updating its current aggressive panhandling ordinance. The city now wants to say it is considered aggressive panhandling if a person:
- Begs in a manner that intentionally hinders or obstructs the free passage of any person in a public place.
- By words or actions, begs with intent to intimidate another person into giving money or goods.
Everett wants to define hinder and obstruct as:
- “Hinder or obstruct” means to walk, stand, sit or lie in such a manner as to block or attempt to block or restrict passage by others or to require persons approaching to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.
Everett wants to define a public place as:
- “Public place” is an area generally visible to public view and includes streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, parking lots and buildings open to the general public, including those that serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.
Everett wants to define begging as:
- “Beg” or “begging” means to ask for money or goods as a charity, whether by words, bodily gestures, signs, or other means.
Everett wants to define intimidate as:
- “Intimidate” means to engage in conduct that would make a reasonable person fearful or feel compelled.
Aggressive Panhandling in Everett would be a misdemeanor as defined by EMC 10.04.080.
- A misdemeanor may be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars, or imprisonment not to exceed ninety days, or by both such imprisonment and fine.
Many people who have testified at recent city council meetings have pointed out that if a person is panhandling, giving them a fine or putting them in jail is likely just going to add to their problems.
Everett City officials have acknowledged this and have stressed that by making this conduct a misdemeanor it allows alternative sentencing options to be invoked including community service, successful completion of drug or alcohol rehabilitation and other means to get people into programs where they can get the help they need.
The city also wants to set up an online system where people can make donations to a dedicated fund that will directly benefit the poor in Everett along with a campaign to educate the public on the best way for people to give.
The Everett City Council will get its look at this new language during their meeting Wednesday night (10/21) at 6:30PM and a public hearing and vote on the proposed language is set for the City Council meeting on October 28th. (Note: that is a day meeting at 12:30PM)
You can see the proposed ordinance with its changes in full by clicking the link below.
Everett proposed panhanling ordinance 10-16-15
October 19, 2015
Everett, Everett Government