Indiana

Panhandling Problems

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

For the people in denial that panhandling is not a problem in Indianapolis, I may want to point you to some recent data I’ve come across.

According to IMPD, there were a total of 139 panhandling arrests in Indianapolis in 2008.    So far, in 2009, that number is 124.

In 2008, most of the panhandling arrests were confined to the downtown. However in 2009, there is an sharp increase in the number of arrests that take place outside the downtown area.   I noticed a number of arrests near Interstates such as I-465 and Allisonville Road, 465 and Meridian, I-65 and Raymond, 89th and Keystone, 45th and Lafayette.

In the downtown area a majority of the arrests take place on Pennsylvania, between Market and Washington.  On Meridian between the Circle and South Street and on Illinois between Washington and Georgia.

The fact that this city has reached 90-percent of last year’s panhandling arrests and it’s only August tells me that this is a serious issue, because no one is arrested for just holding a sign begging for change to feed their alcohol habit.  People are arrested for getting aggressive and intimidating passersby.

The anti-panhandling ordinance, which I have no problem with amendments for clarity and to not encroach on private property rights, is necessary so that citizens of Indianapolis can enjoy the quality of life they pay for either while walking downtown or getting on or off the Interstate.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on August 08, 2009 (boomark / email).