Could you be fined for giving to the homeless?
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:38 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 19, 2013
Non-profit organizations, sports teams and the homeless: They are all at street corners and stop lights around the city asking for money and donations.
Now, it soon could be possible that you may be fined for giving money to those who are not following proper city ordinances.
One councilman wants to pass an ordinance hoping to keep both drivers and those asking for money on the streets safe.
Councilmen Jorge Vera knows from experience the dangers people put themselves in when asking for money in traffic.
"He was running across the street for a $1 and I almost ran into him. And in turn I almost caused an accident behind me and I almost ran into the car that was next to me because I had to swerve to miss the gentleman."
In an effort to keep everyone safe, Vera would like to pass an ordinance prohibiting everyone from giving money to those without proper safety equipment, which includes the orange vests and cones.
There is already an ordinance in effect now requiring all people asking for money on the streets to be a non-profit organization, have a permit issued through the Laredo Police and display all the proper safety gear.
Since police can only ask the others to leave, Vera would like to go a different route; to fine the people who give the money to those begging in the streets.
"By all means, we encourage people who want to help these people to go to organizations like that can help them even better by giving donations to the Bethany House, United Way. These organizations that are already prepared. A lot of these people might need the money for drugs and we're facilitating these people."
City ordinances, such as this one, are meant to keep you and everyone safe.
This item is on the city council agenda for Tuesday and is just a proposal for right now.
Councilman Vera said he hopes to mirror this ordinance off one already in effect in California.
