Fargo Police Chief Recommends Expansion Of Panhandling Ban

A growing number of aggressive panhandlers at heavily traveled intersections around Fargo have the attention of Police Chief Keith Ternes.

 

 

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A growing number of aggressive panhandlers at heavily traveled intersections around Fargo have the attention of Police Chief Keith Ternes.

City commissioners have approved moving ahead with a recommendation from Ternes to expand an ordinance that bans panhandling throughout Fargo.

The current ordinance prohibits panhandling only in the downtown area, but Ternes said police are receiving more complaints about panhandlers at busy street corners and medians along the busiest routes.

"It happens with a fair amount of regularity where they're standing out in the busier streets in the city, out on the medians, it creates far too much of a risk, a safety hazard, for both the panhandling individuals and the motoring traffic in the city," said Ternes.

It will now be up to the city attorney to draft a revised ordinance that also bans panhandling across the city, including residential neighborhoods.

(KFGO file photo)

 

Bonnie Amistadi

   

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