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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Salt Lake City Council will consider revising the city's panhandling ordinance.
The Deseret News reports the ordinance would prohibit panhandling within 10 feet of places like outdoor cafes, theater lines, churches or public transit stops.
Panhandling also would be illegal in the city after sunset and before sunrise, and anyone who intimidates or threatens when asking for donations could face charges.
While the debate over how to deal with panhandlers continues, a new analysis of the numbers shows complaints are on the rise.
In 2007, there were 108 complaints and in 2008 there were 133 complaints. Those numbers keep going up: In 2009 those numbers rose 31 percent and again they are projected to be up 26 percent in 2010, if the last part of the year mirrors the first.
The council is expected to hold a public hearing over the ordinance in the next week.
