CR City Council: Beggars Begone

Tools

By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Aug 26, 2009 at 9:20 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 26, 2009 at 9:20 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Beggars beware. Cedar Rapids will soon ban certain types of panhandling.

The city council Wednesday unanimously approved an ordinance to prohibit so-called "aggressive solicitation".

That includes what Michael Munro is doing in the video for this story. He's holding a sign to get money from people in cars on Blairs Ferry Road.

Munro says he's been doing this off and on for a few years as he tries to get Social Security help.

He says he knows there are panhandlers in Cedar Rapids who exploit people's generosity but says people like him truly need the help.

"I need this out here. I can only speak for myself but if I don't do this I won't have a place to live," said Munro

Besides a ban on people begging drivers for money, the ordinance would also outlaw doing it in city right-of ways or near banks and ATM's.

It would also punish persistent panhandling.

The ordinance will even apply to "fill the boot fundraisers" by firefighters to collect money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The ordinance must pass two more readings before becoming law.

Next Article Dubuque Group Pushes Prayer at Council Meetings

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.