Minneapolis' police chief wants to curb begging.
If Minneapolis Police Chief William McManus gets his way, the city's panhandlers will face arrest unless they're wearing a photo ID issued by the city.Sic the Minneapolis bureaucracy on them! It's done wonders for small business in the city.
It's an idea that has been used in Dayton, Ohio, where McManus used to be chief, and a handful of other big cities as a way to curb public begging. And in some of those places, the begging badges have encountered resistance from homeless advocates.Homeless advocates - tireless crusaders for free enterprise!
Or not. In any case; for those of you who live outside Minnesota, this is really a priceless insight into the way the Minnesota liberal mind works.
Posted by Mitch at April 28, 2005 05:19 AM | TrackBack
As stupid as the idea first may sound, I saw a similar program being used in Chihuahua, Mexico and I believe it could have some merit. The only people who can get a "license to beg" are those with an established condition that limits their ability to work. It could be physical or mental, but at least you know that they aren't simply shiftless bums trying to milk you. I have a feeling that his why some of the homeless advocates are against it.
Posted by: the elder at April 28, 2005 07:57 AMWhy do I get the feeling this is from the same mindset that thinks that requiring a permit to buy a gun will stop criminals (the lawabiding ones at least!) from getting a gun?
Posted by: billhedrick at April 28, 2005 08:35 AMIn California, you can tell it's Spring when the swallows come back to Capistrano.
In Minnesota, you can tell it's Spring when the beggers come back to Minneapolis.
I didn't see one single hungry-homeless-veteran-would-work-for-food-God-bless-me standing at a freeway off-ramp during the entire month of February. Now, they're thick as fleas.
Ah, Spring!
Posted by: nathan bissonette at April 29, 2005 09:56 AM.