Public Hearings on Proposed Panhandling Ordinances Scheduled Next Week

The panhandling issue will be the subject of two public hearings before the Rochester City Council next week.

Rochester City Attorney Terry Adkins returned it to the KROC-AM studio Wednesday morning for his monthly appearance on Rochester Today with Tracy McCray and Andy Brownell to discuss two proposed ordinances dealing with Panhandling.

One would make it illegal for a person to engage in so-called "aggressive panhandling," while the other would ban people from using the medians on roadways in Rochester for any activity.

If the response to the proposals during the radio program is any indication, the public hearings Monday evening at Rochester City Hall should be lively. Most of the callers to Rochester Today expressed support for the efforts to restrict panhandling, but a couple callers voiced opposition and one questioned whether panhandlers are causing any problems.

Click on the play button to listen to the show...