CITY LOOKS AT SOLUTION TO BEGGING : SERVICES SOUGHT FOR PANHANDLERS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

Efforts to control aggressive panhandling in Los Angeles moved in two directions on Monday, with a city panel calling for a tough new law but also looking at ways to provide more social services.

``I think, when we are done here, we will be able to take a holistic approach toward all this,'' said Councilwoman Laura Chick, who chairs the City Council's Public Safety Committee.

The committee asked City Attorney James Hahn to take a proposal he had developed as well as one suggested by Mayor Richard Riordan and develop a new measure to limit aggressive panhandling, particularly near ATM machines, movie lines and bus stops.

Officials said they were attempting to control the conduct of panhandlers by creating buffer zones in certain areas and protecting people from intimidation.

At the same time, the committee instructed city staff to develop a working group of city agencies, service providers and others to come up with proposals on how panhandlers can receive treatment and be taken off the streets. Both reports are expected in six weeks.

``I think there is a general consensus that this (law) isn't solving the real problem,'' Chick said. ``It's a tool. I think our longer term energies must go to addressing the real problem, not just the symptoms.''

The working group would deal with a number of proposals ranging from seeking more donations for homeless groups to working with restaurants to provide a way for their patrons to make donations.

Carol Sobel of the American Civil Liberties Union questioned if the city needed a new law.

``There already are laws on the books that prevent much of what you're doing,'' Sobel said. ``It's already against the law to touch someone without their permission or to solicit while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. What I'm afraid is this will go too far and reach the point that Girl Scouts will not be able to sell their cookies at markets.''