WM Councilman looking for solution to panhandling plague

WM Councilman looking for solution to panhandling plague

Croom: ‘ It needs to get worked out’

news@theeveningtimes.com

“West Memphis needs a solution to this situation,” wrote Wayne Croom to the Director of Legal Services for the Arkansas Municipal League, Mark Hayes.

Croom said the road side solicitors embarrass the city which thrives on Interstate traffic coming into town for food and gas.

“The panhandlers have become a safety concern, a nuisance and embarrassment to the West Memphis entrance,” said Croom.

Hayes replied telling Croom he has something to look forward to during the Arkansas Municipal League meetings next week. Panhandling will be a topic addressed during the convention.

“We are in the process of finalizing several documents for the convention next week,” replied Hayes.

“I think we will see some good developments during the Municipal League meeting,” said Croom.

One blue-shirted church group claiming to specialize in residential drug and alcohol rehab has been regularly working the traffic at the service road and Missouri Street. Croom said many had noticed a car parked on the fireworks lot on the north side of the underpass and people had begun to associate it with the panhandling activity.

The same day he went to speak to the police department about the car it was moved.

Croom has repeatedly acknowledged a recent court decision deeming panhan- dling a protected free speech activity and said he sent to Little Rock and Memphis for copies of their solicitation ordinances to begin a caparison analysis.

“In Memphis they restrict panhandling in tourist areas,” said Croom. “Perhaps we could designate certain areas as tourist spots and move the panhandlers elsewhere.”

As for free speech?

“I understand soliciting has been interpreted as a right,” said Croom. “That’s what we need to keep in mind but it needs to get worked out. People are telling me panhandlers are getting more aggressive.”

County Judge Woody Wheeless posted a copy of a recent Times report about the solicitation at the busy service road intersection and asked, “What do you think about panhandling?”

The emoji poll came back ten thumbs up, seven angry face, one heart and on tear drop. Thirty-seven respondents

took the time to write a line in response to the

judge’s post. a couple responded with nostalgia remember back to their childhood sports leagues doing some bucket collections of their own. Negativity would describe the rest of the responses.

“First impression into West Memphis doesn’t look good with beggars,” wrote Kathryn Pirani.

“Not sure we need to change this law changed,” wrote Della Nowlin. “Now I will be harassed at the gas station by being asked for money to go see a dying mother.”

“They need to back off,” said Kristina Semiche.

Safety was a concern too.

“These people have stuck their heads inside my car once when I had the windows down and my toddler in the car,” said Stephanie Jones.

This is going to end badly for someone at some point,” said Bryan Lawson. “I told my daughter never to roll her window down to give anybody anything,” said Angela Pirani.

On busy intersections there are already enough distractions,” said Jennifer McDaniel.

Some wondered why with unemployment at an alltime low, panhandling would be at an all-time high.

“There are plenty of jobs out there if they really wanted to better their situation,” posted Renee Conrad.

The league meetings Croom and other city officials are attending are the third week of June and as a result the regularly scheduled West Memphis city council meeting has been moved to the fourth Thursday of the month, June 22,

1:30 p.m. at City Hall.

By John Rech