Houston Cook stood in the median of busy Ritchie Highway in Arnold with a red bucket and an orange vest asking motorists waiting to turn on College Parkway for money.
“It?s not about the money, but helping out those in need,” said Cook, 28, who was one of many American Rescue Workers Church members collecting donations Tuesday.
But after Oct. 1, Cook and his church will have to go elsewhere for roadside donations. A law will ban all panhandling on Anne Arundel roads.
“I see it as a public safety issue, because I?ve seen them dart in and out of traffic,” said Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold, who pushed for the state law for Anne Arundel.
If people continue to panhandle on the side or in the median of county roads, police officers could fine violators with a $500 citation. Officers are distributing fliers warning panhandlers of the new law.
“[The homeless] are not exempt from citations,” said Anne Arundel police spokeswoman Sara Schriver. “It is at the officer?s discretion, because they may feel someone doesn?t have a clue about the law.”
No one, not even school groups, is allowed to solicit money; however, Leopold said groups can still advertise services, such as car washes, as long as they?re not in the right-of-way.
Cook has been soliciting for eight months for the Baltimore City-based church, which does outreach through a soup kitchen and shelter.
“It?s not that dangerous if you look out for yourself,” he said.
The Anne Arundel Council is considering repealing its laws prohibiting only minors from soliciting. Concerns about advertising were raised Tuesday in a council work session by Councilwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5.
Deputy County Attorney David Plymyer said advertising and sign-waving is permissible, as long as it does not impede traffic or involve a physical transaction.
But the law?s impact on the homeless is unclear, especially for those who panhandle for a living.
“I think that the people [who] are panhandling know the shelter is here. They know the various places they can go for help,” said Toni Graff, executive director of Annapolis Area Ministries, the county?s only year-round shelter. “I don?t think [it] made a difference.”
Join the discussion in today’s examiNation Baltimore poll and question: How do you feel about a ban on panhandling?
