Proposed panhandling ban Downtown

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Several Downtown business and residential groups are asking the Austin city council to ban panhandling Downtown. The current ordinance only bans panhandling Downtown at night.

"I'm panhandled every day Downtown. I'm panhandled aggressively Downtown," said Bill Brice, with the Downtown Austin Alliance.

The DAA, along with several Downtown churches and even the ARCH, support a Downtown ban. They have proposed a ban to the Austin city council which would prohibit any panhandling from 11th Street to the West Frontage road of I-35 and Cesar Chavez to San Antonio.

"I'd definitely be willing to consider that and I think we're at the point now where we're ready to have that conversation," said Austin City Council member Chris Riley.
"Even social service providers have stepped up and said- we really need to do something about this because panhandling is really not serving the best interest of the folks who are getting money this way."

Some groups, like the DAA, are concerned panhandlers are costing the city business.

"When people come here and they're in unfamiliar surroundings, and they are asked for money, it's very uncomfortable to them and we are very concerned about what that does to our visitor and convention economy," said Brice.

No proposed changes to the ordinance have been drafted, but supporters hope the council will consider it sooner rather than later.