panhandling

Certainly there are opposing opinions about how Battle Creek's recently passed panhandling ordinance. Battle Creek Police Chief Jim Blocker acknowledges why, but says from a law enforcement perspective, it gives officers tools to act - and perhaps uncover more serious crimes...

With the passage Tuesday, September 6, 2016 of proposed ordinances in the city of Battle Creek meant to stem aggressive panhandling, two commissioners - on either side of the issue - discussed the outcome the next morning on WBCK. Commissioner Kate Flores, who voted against the measures, continues to call for more study on the issue...

The Battle Creek City Commission voted 5-3 with one commissioner absent last night to pass a pair of ordinances designed to cut down on aggressive panhandling in the city. Now that the ordinances have passed, they will take effect in 10 days, with area law enforcement training to enforce the new rules in that time...

In less than two full weeks, the city of Battle Creek may have official ordinance language which attempts to prohibit panhandling in the city limits. The measure was motivated by so-called "aggressive" panhandling by some, causing concern for one's safety if they were to be a target...

The Battle Creek City Commission will return to chambers Tuesday night for the first of two meetings in September.

As the Battle Creek City Commission prepares for a likely vote Tuesday on two ordinances meant to help curb panhandling, various people from the community have come forward to discuss the issue on WBCK. Rev. Tom Ott of the First Congregational Church in Battle Creek offered his perspective on The Richard Piet Show...

Officials from Battle Creek's two go-to shelters for the homeless tell WBCK they could do more to address root causes of homelessness and panhandling in the city. Doug Stewart, executive director of the Share Center - Battle Creek's daytime homeless shelter - tells WBCK he feels organizations like his could do more to help people who panhandle or who are homeless, and that could be a better altern

No sooner did the idea of proposing a panhandling ordinance in Battle Creek come up, and the American Civil Liberties Union put the city on notice that it would face a potential legal challenge if the law was passed. On a 5-4 vote, Battle Creek advanced two proposed ordinances, the verbiage of which City Attorney Jill Steele tells WBCK will stand up to legal scrutiny...

If Battle Creek City Commissioner Kate Flores had her way, city leaders would apply the brakes to a pair of panhandling ordinances that now have momentum, since clearing the first hurdle toward passage on August 16, 2016. "I've done a lot of work and analysis...

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is criticizing the Battle Creek City Commission’s passing of ordinances regulating panhanding this week. The Enquirer reports that the ACLU of Michigan is urging the City Commission to drop the proposals, saying that they criminalize poverty...