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SALT LAKE CITY -- The Salt Lake City Council let the public weigh in Tuesday night on possible changes to its panhandling ordinance.
"Panhandling will not be going away," said one resident. "This will help our community be a positive safer place for everyone involved."
Some of the changes include banning panhandling within 10 feet of places like outdoor cafes, churches or public transit stops.
It would be illegal to panhandle after sunset and before sunrise. And anyone who intimidates or threatens when asking for donations could face charges.
Homeless persons at the meeting said the ordinance could be devastating.
Renea said, "The more you guys put us down -- like the tickets -- it's ridiculous cause if we get tickets and end up having to pay a fine, how are we going to do that if we're homeless?
Advocates pointed out this ordinance only targets aggressive panhandling.
The city council elected to defer a decision to a undetermined future date.
