INDIANAPOLIS – A new plan to further punish panhandlers in downtown Indianapolis is getting a push from two City-County Council members.
Michael McQuillen, the Republican Minority Leader, as well as Republican Councilor Susie Cordi will propose a new rule that no one can sit or lie on a city street or sidewalk within the mile square between 6 a.m. and midnight.
“It just seems like recently I’ve had a lot more contact from people throughout Indianapolis who feel the problem is getting worse. [There are] more panhandlers, more people lying around [and more] people being harassed on their way to work or lunch or on their way to a meeting,” says McQuillen.
Both McQuillen and Republican Councilor Susie Cordi will officially introduce the proposal at the next Council Meeting on Sept. 24.
According to RTV6, seven homeless camps have been closed in Indianapolis since Apr. 2018.
The Wheeler Mission, Horizon House, The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention Program, the Indianapolis Chamber and Mayor Hogsett’s office are all reviewing the ordinance to provide their feedback.
Photo: RTV6
