Indianapolis committee advances panhandling proposal

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis City-County Council committee has advanced a proposal that would ban panhandling and other forms of begging near bank entrances, ATMs and other specified areas.

The council’s Rules and Public Policy Committee advanced the proposal Tuesday night on a 5-2 vote. The measure would ban panhandling or passive solicitation that includes cup shaking, sign holding and street performances for money. Those acts would be prohibited within 50 feet of ATMs, bank entrances and exits and parking meters or kiosks that accept money.

The measure would also apply to areas near bus stops, sidewalk cafes, marked crosswalks, trails and underpasses.

But committee member Angela Mansfield tells The Indianapolis Star she doesn’t like that the proposal would treat street performers the same as homeless solicitors.