video: Anti-Panhandling Ordinance Moves Forward in Cranston, Despite Opposition
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Cranston Mayor Allan Fung spoke out in support of a newly updated anti-panhandling ordinance before the Cranston City Council on Monday, while dozens of residents turned out in opposition to the measure.
Fung had originally proposed a “road safety ordinance” in October, modeled after a proposal put forth by former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino that was upheld by the courts in another state.
VIDEO: See GoLocal LIVE with Fung BELOW
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTNow, a Republican controlled-council passed two amendments Monday night that will see the amended ordinance republished — and a special Council meeting scheduled to hold a vote on the final measure.
“This ordinance is simply a tool designed to prevent dangerous driving conditions in numerous busy roadways and intersections that are exacerbated by the presence of pedestrians that are engaging in acts that promote distracted driving,” said Fung in his remarks. “This ordinance is in no way designed to restrict speech, target any specific form of solicitation, or any specific person or group of people."
"That means it addresses panhandlers, firefighters raising money for the ‘Fill the Boot’ campaign, student athletes collecting for uniforms, worshippers in support of their religious organizations, etc," added Fung. "Under this ordinance, this activity can still be done, but in safe areas and most importantly away from moving vehicles.”
Residents however spoke out at the meeting in opposition to the measure, citing the “criminalization of poverty and charity,” to the prospect of additional legal actions being taken the Rhode Island ACLU, among other concerns.
Related Articles
- Editorial: Panhandling - We Can Do Better
- GoLocalTV: Community Leaders Convene to Tackle Panhandling, Homelessness, Drug Use at Kennedy Plaza
- Paolino Demands Panhandling Plan from Elorza Administration
- GoLocalTV: Panhandling Continues to Plague Providence
- NEW: 15 Arrested in Kennedy Plaza Drug Sweep; Providence Refuses to Address Panhandling
- NEW: Providence to Stop Enforcing Anti-Panhandling Ordinance
- Former Providence Mayor Paolino Takes on Elorza Over Panhandling Policy
- GoLocal Denied Entrance to Providence Panhandling Meeting
- Guest Mindsetter™ Morse: Panhandling Reality Check
- Bob Whitcomb’s Digital Diary: Panhandling, Talk Radio, Flooding
- Bob Whitcomb’s Digital Diary: Raimondo Re-Election, Elorza and Panhandling, and Assage
- Politics of Panhandling Sweeps RI — Providence, Cranston, and Newport
- Paolino’s Proposed Ordinance Withstood Challenge from KKK in Missouri
- ABC6’s “In The Arena” Talks Panhandling with Paolino, Mancuso, Rickman, Florez, and Fenton
- EDITORIAL: At Least There Is One Mayor Trying to Address the Panhandling Issue
- Fung Proposes Paolino’s Anti-Panhandling Ordinance for Cranston
- Proposed Panhandling Ordinance Would Ban Cash From Cars in Providence
- Sepe Blasts Fung’s Ordinance on Prohibiting Panhandling in Intersections
- Robert Whitcomb’s Digital Diary: Innovation Campuses; Pushing Against Panhandling