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Richard Piatt reportingA Salt Lake city councilwoman is investigating the idea of requiring certain street soliciters to have a business license.
Pick a spot, ask for money, day after day: It's almost like a job. And in fact, the city is looking into treating begging more like a business.
"Tramp", Downtown Solicitor - "A REAL GOOD DAY IS 15, BUT AN AVERAGE DAY IS SIX OR SEVEN."
The man who calls himself 'Tramp' says that's how much he makes--begging for money--at this spot outside Crossroads mall. If that's considered 'making a living', this might require a business license. At least that's the idea City Council Member Nancy Saxton is investigating.
Nancy Saxton, Salt Lake City Council Member - "WE CAN SAY THAT THIS IS JUST A WHIMSICAL KIND OF ATTEMPT THAT THEY HAVE TO GET MONEY, BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS MORE THAN THAT, THIS IS THEIR JOB, THIS IS HOW THEY MAKE A LIVING."
Saxton says it's the kind of soliciting for money that's almost organized, that occurs in the same place, day after day, week after week.
Artists can set up shop and sell things--but only up to a about a half a dozen times--before they have to get a business license.
But there is a nuisance factor to these planted, predictable panhandlers the city is finding a way to address, too.
But compliance, enforcement and civil rights concerns may present serious roadblocks to such an ordinance.
"Tramp", Downtown Solicitor - "I BARELY MAKE ENOUGH TO SURVIVE AS IT IS ANYWAY. AND THEN HAVING TO PAY FOR A LICENSE ON TOP OF IT WOULD REALLY PUT ME IN A BIND. "
It's not clear how far this idea will get yet. A lot of people we talked to who want to address the panhandling issue in Salt Lake city aren't sure this kind of ordinance is the way to do that.
