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<br /> Print version - © COPYRIGHT 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser - Hawaii's Newspaper, a Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> *HonoluluAdvertisul,com Alt <br /> <br /> <br /> Posted on: Sunday, November 4, 2007 <br /> <br /> City to get tougher Waikiki panhandlers <br /> <br /> Advertiser Staff <br /> <br /> Amid growing concern about homelessness and associated problems in Waikiki, the <br /> City Council will soon consider banning "aggressive" panhandling near ATMs and BEING TOO PUSHY <br /> check-cashing businesses. <br /> "Unfortunately, some of our residents, and especially our visitors in Waikiki, have been Djou's proposal defines <br /> harassed by aggressive panhandlers when they get money from ATMs," said "aggressive" panhandling <br /> Councilman Charles Djou, who represents the area. as: <br /> Djou sponsored the proposal after the Waikiki Neighborhood Board voted 10-6 earlier . Persisting in soliciting <br /> this month to seek such a ban. Members complained about abusive behavior among a money from, following, or <br /> subset of homeless people in the area. <br /> approaching a person after <br /> "This bill seeks to prevent individuals, including foreign visitors unfamiliar with local the person has given a <br /> customs, from being intimidated when obtaining cash," Djou said. negative response by either <br /> words or conduct to a <br /> If the measure is approved by the council, panhandlers would face a $25 fine for each solicitation for money. <br /> offense. <br /> . Intentionally touching or <br /> The council is scheduled to take an initial vote on Bill 81 on Wednesday. Final approval causing physical contact <br /> would require several additional votes over two months or more. with a person being <br /> solicited without that <br /> One man who was discreetly panhandling along Kalakaua Avenue early Friday, away , <br /> from ATMs, said he was not particularly worried about a ban, but conceded that some person s consent. <br /> competitors become too forceful and draw unwanted police attention. <br /> . Intentionally blocking or <br /> No aggressive panhandling was apparent near prominent ATMs before noon, but interfering with the safe or <br /> several homeless people strolled or sat along Kalakaua and other Waikiki streets, free passage of a person <br /> including a few who appeared intoxicated despite the early hour. exiting or entering a vehicle <br /> near an ATM. <br /> On Kuhio Avenue, a police officer questioned a disheveled man and woman sitting <br /> outside a convenience store with a soiled blanket. They soon stumbled off down <br /> Lili'uokalani Avenue, where he stopped to urinate in some bushes while glaring at • Using violent or <br /> passers-by, and she collapsed at his feet as her pants slipped to thigh level. threatening gestures toward <br /> a person being solicited. <br /> Djou, an attorney, said he modeled his legislation after similar bans enacted in Denver <br /> and Minneapolis. Laws that broadly targeted begging and panhandling in some other Using profane or abusive <br /> cities were struck down in courts as unconstitutional violations of the right to free <br /> speech. The American Civil Liberties Union's Hawai'i chapter - which has opposed language that is likely to <br /> some efforts to ban other controversial public behavior in Waikiki, such as street provoke an immediate <br /> performances that include solicitations - could not be reached Friday for comment. violent reaction from the <br /> person being solicited. <br /> Back . Approaching or <br /> following a person being <br /> o COPYRIGHT 2007 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannet co. inc. solicited in a group of two <br /> http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Nov/04/lnihawaii7llO4O351.htmt/?print=on 12/26/2007 <br />