It may be a sign of the times, but Covington decided it is time to change the city’s panhandling laws.
The City Council approved an ordinance at the May 25 meeting outlawing panhandling directed at vehicles. The measure also prevents panhandling on private property unless the owner gives permission.
The ordinance directs the staff to begin a public education campaign to encourage residents to donated to charities rather than to panhandlers.
City Manager Derek Matheson said the city’s personal and human services analyst, Victoria Throm, is available to help anyone find shelter and assistance. According to Matheson, any person who needs assistance can go to City Hall and ask for help and Throm will do whatever she can to find a solution.
Matheson said there are four spots in Covington where panhandling is most prevalent: at the interchange between state Route 18 and state Route 516 or Kent Kangley; 168th Avenue Southeast and SR 516, 172nd Avenue Southeast and SR 516 and Southeast Wax Road and SR 516.
The ordinance will not allow a person to hold a sign directed at a car traveling on a highway.
A panhandler can stand on the sidewalk and ask a pedestrian for money, but Matheson said the panhandler cannot make a “reasonable person fearful, and they cannot approach within one foot without a person’s consent.”
The panhandler also cannot continue to ask for money after being told no.
According to Matheson, Covington has been a hot spot for panhandlers because the, “public is generous, there is a captive audience on 516 and the panhandlers don’t have fear of being victims of crime themselves as in other communities.”
Councilman Jim Scott said at the May 25 meeting, “I believe this ordinance goes as far as it needs to go.”
Councilman Wayne Snoey noted the city has received “an incredible number of complaints (about panhandling). I do have a deep concern because of the economy, for some it may be a last resort.”
Snoey noted the city has tried to offer services to anyone in need.
The councilman said he believed the ordinance was reasonable.
