From Staff Reports

A revised panhandling ordinance specifying terms for panhandling solicitation in Asheville was approved unanimously by Asheville City Council during a second (and final) reading on Sept 12.

“A federal law required the city to change its terms on public solicitation for money,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) stated in its Sept. 12 report on the vote.

“Those changes were made official by unanimous vote, but not without some displeasure. No rules or dialogue were taken out or edited, but new language was added.”

Further, News 13 noted, “It’s now more descriptive of what is and isn’t allowed. The amendment defines the who, what, when and where of solicitation rules, including an 8-foot distance restriction. There is no increase in enforcement and no change in penalties for violators.

“Before the final vote, some voiced concerns about the changes.”

The TV station quoted Asheville resident Grace Barron saying at the meeting as follows:

“People don’t have money, so you’re going to charge them with a misdemeanor that costs money that they don’t have. We will actually be paying more taxpayer dollars to keep people in cages. This policy is as cruel as it is counterproductive and illogical.”

News 13 concluded its report by stating, “Aside from the final vote and approval of the changes to the ordinance, no other comments were made on the matter on the council’s end.”