The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the National Homelessness Law Center have warned the city of Merriam that a new law that limits panhandling in certain medians is unconstitutional and could harm homeless residents. The Merriam City Council in February voted 6-2 to approve the new ordinance banning pedestrians from standing or sitting on medians at nine high-traffic intersections, other than to legally cross the street. City officials said the law is aimed at cutting down on car crashes and ensuring the safety of pedestrians, and is not meant to penalize panhandlers — despite concerns from some residents and some council members that it would push out the homeless. Officials said at the time that the ordinance was in response to a growing number of complaints about people stopping traffic at the intersections. The law does not mention panhandlers. Many cities have passed similar laws without specifically barring panhandlers, as a way of avoiding concerns about violating First Amendment rights.
Source: KC Star Local News
