THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL HAS PASSED AN ORDINANCE RESTRICTING PANHANDLING ALONG BUSY STREETS…BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE END OF IT. PETER SIMONSON WITH THE ACLU OF NEW MEXICO SAYS THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE MEASURE…AND HIS GROUP MAY GO TO COURT TO STOP IT.
SIMONSON SAYS THEY’RE WORKING ON MAKING THAT ASSESSMENT NOW. IF THEY CONCLUDE THE BILL IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THE ACLU WILL HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH LEGAL ACTION.
NOT ONLY WOULD PANHANDLING BE OUTLAWED ALONG BUSY MEDIANS AND SIDEWALKS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, DRIVERS COULD BE TICKETED FOR INTERACTING WITH PEDESTRIANS. THE BILL’S SPONSOR TRUDY JONES SAYS IT’S A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
