Prevent Crime: Give to Beggars (Update with meeting notes)

Funny, isn't it... some people in local government and politics believe the hold a possition of leadership and should lead instead of follow when it comes to taking care of the city they represent.

I suspect some folks might call that old fashioned... and in a derogatory way. I, on the contrary, appreciate and respect that kind of attitude.

A few weeks ago I saw a beggar who apparently hopes he doesn't need to steal. At least that is what he scribbled on his sign.

I reported the man to the local police, although I suspected they would do nothing. Then I e-mailed a link to my post to the city council. Apparently, they discussed it briefly.

Council Meeting Minutes -3- September 25, 2007

Council Member Wroge asked how the City handles beggars standing along the highway,
specifically referring to the person holding the sign “I’d rather beg than rob”.

Public Safety Director Scott stated the City of Minneapolis recently amended their ordinance on this issue and it only addresses verbal encounters not signage because of potential conflicts with the First Amendment.

City Attorney [Corrine] Thomson said she was not giving an opinion because she has not studied the issue but it appears conduct deemed harassing and disorderly is trying to be addressed not signage which needs close review for First Amendment rights. She said she did not believe the sign constituted a threat.

Council Member Wroge stated he disagreed, he did take it as a threat and it should not be tolerated. Richfield needs to be a leader not a follower to regulate behavior.

Thank you Councilman Wroge. I'll try to keep my eyes open for future developments or related incidents.

Anyone have an opinion for the council or for Richfield's attorney?

Richfield City Hall
6700 Portland Avenue
Richfield, MN 55423
(612) 861-9700
(612) 861-9749 (fax)
citycouncil@cityofrichfield.org

Prevent Crime: Give to Beggars (Update)

Link to the City of Richfield video... see the September 25th meeting.

Since I sent this story to the City Council, I've heard back from one of the council members. The city attorney says, as expected, that this is a matter of free speech on behalf of the man (who many not-so-veiled threats to burglarize and thieve). However, she plans to go over this case and get back to the City Council.

I hope to hear back about this, too. I might be going to another council meeting.

Prevent Crime: Give to Beggars (Update)

What to do about beggars in Richfield who claim they would prefer to beg than steal? Tracy from Anti-Strib notes that those two options surely cannot be the only two (if, in fact, the guy is just making easy, tax-free money).

I posted several links in my previous post... two included a list of charities in the Richfield area. Of course, the alternative that Tracy suggested was a four letter word... and I don't mean off-color.

This morning, I received an e-mail message from the City of Richfield:

Your first e-mail was forwarded to the City Council, the City Manager and Public Safety Director on September 24. I will forward this one to those individuals today.

The City Council discussed this issue at last night's City Council Meeting. The meeting should be linked to our website (www.cityofrichfield.org) later this afternoon so you can watch it (Channel 16, click on view programming). Also, the council meeting will be rebroadcast on Richfield's Cable Channel 16 beginning Sat, at 3 p.m., Sunday at 5 p.m. and Wed. at 7 p.m.

If you have any additional questions, you may want to contact the Richfield Public Safety Director, Dan Scott at 612-861-9810 or dscott@cityofrichfield.org

As of yet, I don't see anything in the City Council Agendas and Minutes, however we all know the pace at which bureaucracy and government move. For better and for worse.

I'll check later today... maybe I'll update this post with a link to the video. Checking the agenda, nothing obvious shows up. I'll try to read it when I have a moment.

Prevent Crime in Richfield: Give to Beggars

I got home early today... whoo-hoo. However, the drive home lead me to this sight.
That isn't exactly what I saw. (This picture comes from my return visit.) He actually opened up a cigar pack, unwrapped what must have been a cheap cigar, light it up, and puffed away. He also had a bottle of iced tea on the ground and some other stuff.

For reference:
The Portland exit from Crosstown.
44°53'27.87"N
93°16'3.60"W

Off the top of my head, I know at least three families within 1.5 miles of this spot. I've been driving through this area for well over twenty years. This year marks the only year I've seen so-called beggars on that patch... and so far I think I'm only up to four.

Perhaps I've seen them before and forgotten about them. I don't know. All the same I really don't want them there anyway. Especially when they have a sign like this one.

"I'd rather beg - than robb - God bless"

Written out poorly, with the word rob misspelled, and a good old God bless thrown in for good measure.

Really? That's your message??? Fine... I've got a message.

So, I drove down to the Richfield Police Department, which wasn't as far away as I thought. I wasn't hopeful that they would do much, or be able to do much. That's why I made a return trip with my handy camera.

Within about an hour I was back at the on ramp... there he was, cigarless this time. Thanks for posing, Scruffy.

For crying out loud, Richfield... get rid of these guys.

City of Richfield

Richfield Mayor and City Council

Richfield City Hall
6700 Portland Avenue
Richfield, MN 55423
(612) 861-9700
(612) 861-9749 (fax)
citycouncil@cityofrichfield.org

Richfield Public Safety Department
(612) 861-9800

Charity Guide: Richfield