FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — The Federal Way City Council unanimously approved revising an ordinance to make it harder for people to panhandle.
Now it will be illegal to panhandle on medians across the city.
"We want to make sure that while free speech is protected, there are limits to it. We want to make sure they are not in the islands, they are not obstructing traffic," said Mayor Jim Ferrell
Panhandlers caught in medians or begging too aggressively will face a misdemeanor or a $1,000 fine.
The city will also print cards to hand out to panhandlers that explain the law and offers information on human services.
"When they get close to the traffic, they're almost walking in front of you to get something. That's wrong. They need to stop that," said resident John Matejka.
The city says police get at least one call a day complaining about panhandlers.
Daniel Graff says he's been begging on the streets of Federal Way for at least seven years and it's his right to do so.
"First of all, this is freedom of speech, this is freedom of speech," said Graff.
He said that he's been ticketed and arrested in the past for aggressive panhandling and he doesn't agree with it.
"Because you're holding the sign. They want to say because you're holding the sign it's aggressive," said Graff.
Matejka says panhandlers can be distracting, especially at busy intersections.
"It hurts the people who want to shop. It makes them want to turn around and get in their car and leave," said Matejka.
What bothers him most, is the act of panhandling itself, he said.
"You see so many people that could get a job without any problems," Matejka added, "Why don’t you get a job? I'm working. I’m in my 60's and I'm working full time."
The revisions take effect in 30 days.
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