PLAN TARGETS `QUALITY OF LIFE' : PANHANDLING LAW DRAFTED.Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer Despite objections it might be unconstitutional, Mayor Richard Riordan Richard J. Riordan (born May 1, 1930) is a Republican politician from California, U.S. who served as the California Secretary of Education from 2003–2005 and as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993–2001. Riordan ran for Governor of California unsuccessfully in 2002. and city officials called Tuesday for a new law on abusive panhandling to deal with what they called ``a quality-of-life crime.'' In doing so, Riordan and City Attorney James Hahn For the Iowa politician, see . James Kenneth "Jim" Hahn (born July 3, 1950) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He was the Deputy City Attorney (1975-1979), City Controller (1981-1985), City Attorney (1985-2001) and Mayor of Los Angeles, California dropped their feud over competing measures to join forces in backing a measure that would for one thing prohibit panhandlers from coming within 3 feet of a person. The law was drafted with the donated help of a private expert on constitutional law who sought to balance constitutional guarantees with tough restrictions on street beggars. ``We must stand together in this fight against abusive panhandling, a quality of life crime that diminishes the quality of life for all Angelenos,'' Riordan said at a City Hall news conference attended by Hahn and City Councilmen Joel Wachs Joel Wachs served for several terms as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 2nd district. He was first elected by defeating incumbent James B. Potter. While in office, Wachs chaired the Public Works Committee and vice-chair of the Environmental Quality & Waste Management , John Ferraro John Ferraro (May 14 1924—April 17 2001) served as a Los Angeles City Councilman from 1966 until his death. Early life Ferraro was born in the working class suburb of Cudahy, California, just south of Los Angeles. , Rudy Svorinich Rudy Svorinich (born 1960) is a Republican who served on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 15th district. A resident of San Pedro, his diverse district also includes the community of Watts. He was elected to the council in 1993 and served two full terns. Jr. and Richard Alatorre Richard Alatorre is a politician, and a member of the Democratic Party. Alatorre has served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council. He was the first Latino to serve on the council in 23 years. . ``Abusive panhandling is all around us - from freeway off-ramps and on-ramps to street corners and storefronts,'' the mayor said. ``For some it creates fear. For others, it's a nuisance.'' Hahn's appearance at the news conference came after three days of squabbling with the Mayor's Office over competing proposals. The city attorney said Riordan had called him late Monday to invite him to participate, saying the two should work together on the issue. ``I'm pleased we're all working together,'' Hahn said. The measure, which was formally sent to the council by Wachs, will go to the council's Public Safety Committee for an initial review. But in its initial form it drew complaints from the American Civil Liberties Union American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), nonpartisan organization devoted to the preservation and extension of the basic rights set forth in the U.S. Constitution. of Southern California and homeless advocates. ``I think it's unconstitutional in large part because it clearly focuses on speech,'' said Carol Sobel, an attorney with the organization. ``Besides, the city already has laws that cover most of these things,'' she said. ``You can't touch someone without their permission, you can't be under the influence of drugs or narcotics narcotics n. 1) techinically, drugs which dull the senses. 2) a popular generic term for drugs which cannot be legally possessed, sold, or transported except for medicinal uses for which a physician or dentist's prescription is required. in public and you can't stand on street medians. All they have to do is enforce existing laws.'' The mayor's proposal was developed by Robert Vanderet, an attorney from the law firm of O'Melveny and Myers who specializes in First Amendment issues. He donated his work to the city. Among other things, it would prohibit panhandlers from coming within 3 feet of a person, blocking the sidewalk, following people, using profane language or threatening people who refuse to give them money. Riordan's proposal would allow police to cite offenders with a $50 ticket for first offenses, with second offenses punishable by a misdemeanor. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion