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Vital Views
The Severna Park Voice, April 2006
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Council in Action
By Councilwoman Cathleen M Vitale
Warm weather is finally here. Let me see… that brings spring blooms,
birds, boating season, and yes… increased panhandlers and roadside
solicitors. As many are aware the Anne Arundel County Council has been
attempting for the last several years to enact legislation to prevent
roadside solicitation. While there have been suggested, several types of
bans, the majority of the County Council seems to be leaning towards a
total ban. In order to be able to do so, the Council needs from our
State legislators specific enabling legislation that will in turn, allow
us to introduce legislation to ban panhandlers, not only on County, but
the State Roads throughout our district. Remember, it's like the sign
laws, if the County cannot enforce the law on both the County and State
Roads (like Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Route 10 and Ritchie Highway),
how effective will even partial legislation be?
Maryland Counties currently differ on how they handle the
issue. For example, in Frederick County, legislation was passed that
would prohibit the use of a controlled access highway in the county's
jurisdiction by a person soliciting money, donations, employment,
business, or a ride from an occupant of a vehicle on the controlled
access highway; and prohibits, in Frederick County, a person from
standing in a roadway, median divider, or intersection to solicit money
or donations from an occupant of a vehicle. A total ban. In Prince
George's County, legislation was enacted which Prohibits a child under
the age of 15 years from standing in a roadway, median divider, or
intersection to solicit money or donations of any kind from the occupant
of a vehicle and goes on to prohibit an adult in Prince George's County
from causing, encouraging, allowing, or petitioning a child under the
age of 15 years to violate the prohibition. At a minimum, legislation
similar to that of Prince George's County is required.
Several attempts have been made on behalf of Anne Arundel
County to address the issue. In 1994 Delegate David Boschert sought
enabling legislation to ban all roadway solicitors along Anne Arundel
County Roads. (HB 61). The bill never got he support of the committee it
was assigned to, and died. That same year, HB 187 was enacted which
would give the County permission to set up a licensing program which
would prevent teenagers from soliciting, but would not only permit, but
license and therefore condone (by default), adult panhandlers. The
Council, for many reasons, has chosen not to enact that legislation. Can
you imagine licensing solicitors and giving them permits to stand at
particular corners?
It is not often that I ask for your help, but here I am, and I'm asking.
Until legislation can be provided to ban at least our youth, from
standing on street corners to solicit money, I am asking that you assist
in preventing your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and even
the neighbors' children from participating in such activities. I have
been speaking with various civic and school groups to ask for
assistance. The students I have spoken to appear to understand the need
for safety. Last year I watched the dance team from Severna Park High
School hold a successful car wash at a local gas station. Rather than
having several girls running up and down the median strip of Ritchie
Highway, two young ladies stood on a sidewalk, two others stood about
five feet from the edge of the property, and held signs. They didn't
jump up and down, didn't waive the signs to distract the drivers, but
they had colorful balloons and streamers on the business lot, and a lot
of enthusiasm and energy. Please help me keep the children off the
strips and out of the streets. If you have any questions, please feel
free to email me at cvitale@aacounty.org with your thoughts.
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