Oklahoma City Council proposes limits on panhandling

The city council is responding with new proposed limits on panhandling meant to keep people out of the street and off the median.

Council members have tried several times in recent years to restrict panhandling, with limited success. Courts have ruled panhandling is a First Amendment issue, which means the city can't just make it illegal.

Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer said something needs to be done.

"We've seen an incredible increase in folks standing in the median soliciting money," she said.

The current city ordinance allows people to panhandle on the side of the road or in the median, but not stand in the street itself.

Changes proposed by city staff would add medians to the ban and would prohibit walking in the street or median, as well as standing.

"Medians have been excluded from this I think mostly as an oversight," Assistant City Attorney Tina Hughes said. "They are at least as much of a hazard as people on the side of the road, maybe more."

Hughes said that although the city can't completely ban panhandling, it can reasonably restrict it to ensure safety of both motorists and pedestrians.

"This has nothing to do with the content of what anybody is saying, so I think it is very defensible and evenhanded," Hughes said.

Panhandling would still be allowed on the side of the road, city officials said. The city can also issue a permit once a year allowing groups to seek donations such as city firefighters who raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The permit fee is $200, and groups can only seek donations for daylight hours. They are not allowed to enter the street when traffic is moving.

The proposed ordinance will get a public hearing Aug. 3, with a final vote scheduled Aug. 17.