Councillor wants to restrict solicitors

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - People often times see solicitors or panhandlers as merely a nuisance. But one City-County Counci memberr sees them as safety hazards. He wants to restrict their activity by moving them away from busy intersections

On any given day you can find panhandlers and solicitors on Indianapolis' city streets. If City-County Councillor Michael McQuillen has his way their activity could become an act of the past, "I feel it's my job as a city-county (councillor) to look out for public safety and I'm accountable for that that's why I introduced this legislation."

McQuillen's new legislation focuses on solicitors and panhandlers at intersections.

"Everyone has their right to do what they want, but when they starting impeding on other peoples rights and putting people at risk, that's where we have a problem where we have to draw the line," McQuillen said.

At the intersection of 38th Street and Fall Creek you can always find solicitors near the street. This new legislation would restrict them from being 50 feet away from any intersection controlled by a stop light or stop sign.

A panhandler at 56th Street and I-465 said it won't stop him," I don't know if it will really stop it or not, but a lot of people stand out here and that's what they do."

The legislation has its supporters.

"I do think its dangerous only because it causes a distractions, hoping someone will help them but it's not always the case," supporter Joann Kenworthy of Indianapolis said.

"It's a major inconvenience to have someone come up to you. They come up they knock on your window it's distracting and it scares my wife," one motorist explained.

This proposal heads to the Public Safety and Criminal Justice committee for review in July. The City-County Council is expected to vote on the legislation in August.