Comments on: Panhandling Ordinances: Anything Helps, God Bless

By: Karl

Karl — Sun, 30 Jun 2013 15:27:48 +0000

You are playing with fire thinking you can regulate first amendment rights for targeted groups and industries. Free speech all media including hand made signs. Free assembly. Free use of public byways. We have public nuisance laws and laws against obstructing traffic. Strange that ACHD (comment above) will not use current state ordinances. Maybe it’s too much time required gathering evidence and prosecuting a case (burden of proof is a b*)

By: i know the truth

i know the truth — Mon, 27 May 2013 01:23:24 +0000

Forcing panhandlers to aproach the community directly is going to more annoying than seeing them on the street corners. Sorry if you don’t like it but it’s true.

You’ll never get rid of them and if they aren’t hurting you then why bother them? What’s the big deal anyway? all they’re doing is standing there right? you choose whether you give them money or not. it’s not like they’re forcing anything on you (I don’t see them throwing bibles and granola in YOUR face). Besides, what would all of you complain about without panhandlers?

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:40:50 +0000

Got to admit I’m also tired of the Fireman Boot. I always feel like I’m being blackmailed.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:28:15 +0000

I like to give them an expired Wal-Mart giftcard… God Bless!

By: What's a Highway?

What's a Highway? — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:46:35 +0000

Why won’t Boise Police enforce State Law?
49-709(2) No person shall stand on a highway for the purpose of soliciting employment, business or contributions from the occupant of any vehicle, provided however, that a person may stand on a highway other than a state or federal highway to solicit contributions if authorized to do so in writing by the local authority having jurisdiction over the highway, and provided further, that any such authorization shall not be valid for more than one (1) year from the date of issuance.

EDITOR NOTE–The code above puts total authority on the ACHD because they have “jurisdiction over the highway.”

49-109(5) A “Highway” includes sidewalks and shoulders in Idaho

I’ve heard from a BPD Officer personally that the Boise Police Department has been specifically prohibited by Boise City prosecutors from enforcing this statute….WHY?

EDITOR NOTE–As an old copper, I recall we were told to write tickets under city ordinance and NOT state code whenever possible because a much bigger portion of fines went to the city when local codes were enforced rather than state codes. It’s all about the money!

By: Grumpy ole guy

Grumpy ole guy — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:45:11 +0000

If parent/guardian is responsible for infraction(s) of under-age children and kids in a family with, say 5 kids, set up a lemonade stand and get busted, do the parents serve 5 times the sentence–one for each kid? or each of them 2.5 times, and what is the fine? And do the kids go into foster care while the parents serve the time? All over (probably) a bad paper cup of lemonade?
Really? Can some clues be provided here, I’d be illing.

By: john

john — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:57:14 +0000

yea, fill the boot is utter nonsense, lucky one of them hasn’t been run over or hit, just a matter of time.

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:40:43 +0000

For the many of you seeing this happening and fussing whom have jobs and computers perhaps this needs to be let go all the way around. Lemonade stands and people out of work is not solution for these people to even think on fines of $1,000 when it’s one day at a time for so many. Where is the humility here? Copper’s have plenty on their plate and so do the lawbooks.
As mentioned alternative is provide situations, fine them when they can’t pay, issue warrants for past dues, arrest them, send them to jail but can’t bail out nor pay fines. Children associated get assigned to Child and Welfare camps. What’s next?

By: bikeboy

bikeboy — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:40:34 +0000

Apparently unlike police, the firemen can’t just write more tickets to generate more revenue.
(-;

It’s nice to live in a generous community. And indeed, we should be taking care of the impoverished who need food and shelter. BUT – the best way to do that is to donate to the organizations – Idaho Foodbank, Boise Rescue Mission, etc. If nobody responded to the panhandlers, I’m confident their numbers would shrink.

By: Flyhead

Flyhead — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:56:59 +0000

I find it particularly offensive when the panhandlers hang out at the ATM’s. Otherwise, they only hang out where they get handouts for the most part. I do not like to see them at busy intersections and are a safety hazard.

Some may even think panhandlers are an example of the Free Market Enterprise at work along with the drug trade and prostitution.