The city of Glendale has warned dozens of people to demand money since it banned begging last fall.

Acquired record phoenix new times It shows that the city has issued 52 warnings so far since the new city law went into effect in November. The city also took one man to court and fined him $225 for demanding money at an intersection with a picture of a sick child.

The record provides the first detailed examination of how the city enforced a panhandling ban that came under fire from Arizona’s ACLU.

“This latest information released by the city confirms Arizona’s ACLU’s concerns that an ordinance was specifically passed to punish all unprotected speech by residents, even in public spaces. statement to New Times.

In preparation for the Super Bowl in Glendale on February 12, the city passed two ordinances criminalizing panhandling. Extensive restrictions prohibit panhandling on buses or bus stops, within 50 feet of banks or ATMs, within 25 feet of private businesses, or in an “aggressive manner.” It is also prohibited to ask for money from people in the car.

The first violation of the Ordinance is a civil offense with fines. However, subsequent violations within the next 12 months may result in misdemeanor criminal liability punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment.

City officials said the ordinance is intended to keep people safe by banning people from walking the streets or asking for money. It’s not about generating income from the told 12 News in October.

However, the city has received considerable backlash. Two weeks before the Super Bowl, on Jan. 27, her ACLU in Arizona called on the city to stop enforcing the ordinance. The organization said the broad ban had raised serious First Amendment concerns, and argued that similar measures in other cities had been reversed by courts.

In a letter to the city, the ACLU said the ordinance was “too broad and apparently unconstitutional.” They ban “protected speech by preventing citizens from selling newspapers, soliciting donations to their preferred political organizations, offering to work as day labourers, or requesting charitable aid.” caused the effect of

The ACLU called these bans “no more than blanket bans on speech to alleviate public discomfort with begging in anticipation of the Super Bowl.”

The ACLU has yet to file a lawsuit, despite warnings that it would consider “challenging the Glendale unconstitutional ordinance in federal court, if necessary.” Afterwards, the Glendale City Council tweaked the ordinance, but made no substantive changes. For example, under the updated code, the ban applies not only to verbal requests, but also to written signatures requesting money.

Criminalization of panhandling

Since the ban took effect in November, the city has issued 52 warnings to individuals asking for money, including three in February after the ACLU letter reached the city. .

According to the materials obtained New Times, One man appeared in court and was fined $225 for demanding money.man who new times Unable to reach, several warnings and civil citations were given.If he is seen demanding money again, the police may charge him with a crime .

Police in Glendale twice encountered a man demanding money on the median at the intersection of 67th Street and Bethany Home Road in November. They issued him a warning, according to an interview description obtained by . New Times. On December 4, officers saw him standing on the 43rd Street and Northern Avenue median.

He “had a sign with a picture of a sick child asking for money,” the officer said. was fined.

The fine was subsequently paid, according to court records. The police department said the man was “not homeless,” though details were redacted in documents obtained by the police. New Times.

by email to New Times, Glendale Police Sergeant Randy Stewart wrote that the agency’s use of the ordinance “is intended to provide a service, not a punitive measure.” Stewart said the agency has provided “homeless services” to 349 people since his November.

Rundall said the ACLU is “closely monitoring” the city’s enforcement of the ordinance.

“Given the rapidly increasing number of residents experiencing homelessness, it is unfortunate that the city is prioritizing enforcement of ordinances that only exacerbate the problem.” , urges us to rethink our policies and focus on real solutions that will help rather than criminalize members of the Glendale community.”