COM 0966.004 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 5, 1998 Honorable Aaron Chung, Chairman & Committee Members Finance Committee Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Chairman Chung & Committee Members: The Hilo Downtown Improvement Association (DIA) appreciates this opportunity to provide comments on Bill No. 286, relating to the regulation of the place and manner of soliciting for money or objects of value in Downtown Hilo. Panhandlers or people who solicit money and other goods create unsafe situation and are a deterrent to a healthy business environment; thus, the DIA wholeheartedly supports efforts such as this bill to decrease the number of solicitation occurring in Downtown Hilo. Panhandlers have found that the Dowtown area is one of the few locations in Hilo where they can make a reasonable return for their time spent. This is due to the fact that other shopping and business areas are generally owned by one entity and the current law allows them to ask solicitors to leave the premises. Whereas in Downtown Hilo, there are multiple small business and property owners, which does not facilitate or permit similar action. Panhandlers aggressively pursue customers, visitors, employees and shopkeepers, who feel intimidated and obligated to give to these individuals. These unscrupulous individuals make a routine habit of begging for money to purchase drugs, cigarettes and other items, and some even have specific location where they can be found on a daily or weekly basis, as if this was a form of business. Our customers, visitors and the people who work Downtown should not be saddled with such unwanted and unsavory actions. Please provide us with the legal tools to keep Downtown a safe and welcoming area to shop and do business. Sincerely, 7fy~t Roxanne L. Aburamen ZO'd ZIO'ON Li:bt 86,50 100 6SOb~~6-808 QI a31N30 3NUi NI-IH