Charity meters add insult

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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Ten purple donation stations in downtown Iowa City are topped with a label stating: “Iowa City Donation Station.” In the window below, there's a message: “Please don't give to panhandlers.”

In other words, don't have contact with them. Don't encourage them. Pretend they don't exist.

The donation stations (converted parking meters) were installed shortly before Iowa City's new, more restrictive panhandling ordinance took effect on June 9. Since then, the meters have attracted about $800 in donations, which will be shared by three non-profit groups. The non-profits are deserving and need support to do their work.

As for the charity meter response? Underwhelming.

And just another layer insulating those “nasty” panhandlers from the “regular” folks.

We keep wondering why the City Council sees solicitors as such a big problem. The previous city ordinance already made it illegal for panhandlers to use abusive language or touch people or block their way if they declined to give. It also prohibited soliciting money within

10 feet of sidewalk cafes, building entrances and mobile vendors, or within 20 feet of an ATM. It was aimed at stopping aggressive solicitation. It was reasonable. And no one was ever cited for a violation.

The ordinance passed in June essentially forces solicitors into a small area of the Pedestrian Mall. Fifteen feet apart. And, so far, no one has been arrested under the tougher rules.

Some may say that the new ordinance, combined with verbal warnings first from police, is working. Discouraging panhandlers.

Perhaps. But we see it as a cordon, further removing panhandlers from contact with shoppers, culture seekers and others in Iowa City's vibrant, colorful downtown environment.

The purple meters simply add insult.

What is wrong with people peacefully asking for money? Charities do it all the time. Are city leaders worried that panhandlers' appearance, their poverty, make others uncomfortable? So?

Sure, some panhandlers may be cons. A few may be overly aggressive.

But they're people, too, many struggling to survive. They have a constitutional right to ask for money. The rest of us have the right to give or decline. Face to face. Human interaction.

Not purple meters that distract our uneasiness.