news-record.com

New rules approved by City Council don't ban panhandling, but make doing so lawfully much more difficult in Greensboro, particularly in the downtown area.

While more aggressive, annoying soliciting can happen anywhere, downtown eateries and entertainment venues increasingly seem to be prime targets for beggars.

Government officials, of course, can't trample on the constitutionally protected right of exercising freedom of speech by asking someone for money, but they can restrict where, when and how it's done.

Setting parameters isn't unreasonable because invading someone else's space can be confrontational or frightening, whether it's at a busy intersection or a sidewalk cafe. And customers being intimidated, harassed or scared off is bad for business.

At the same time, city government has a responsibility to work closely with groups on the front end that deal with homelessness and substance abuse -- two factors frequently linked to persistent panhandling.

It should be noted that other city ordinances can and do come into play. Depending on the circumstances, loitering, trespassing and harassment laws also may apply.

But overall, the city has had only limited success trying to control the practice. Beginning in 2003, panhandlers have been required to get licenses. That year, 34 were issued. Now, 295 people have them. However, that may not accurately reflect the number of people, often transient, who panhandle here.

Trying to find the middle ground between being hard-nosed and hard-hearted hasn't been easy. Citizens have a right to be protected from intrusive, unwanted or aggressive solicitations.

At the same time, the homelessness and addiction issues that fuel the problem must be addressed just as vigorously.