In early December, Gig Harbor will be introduced to a new law against drivers assisting panhandlers.

Panhandling is the act of begging for (usually) money on a position along a road. The law specifies that the areas where the law will be enforced are in the proximity of certain parts of roads like roundabouts, intersections, and overpasses. For instance, panhandlers will not be allowed within 500 feet of the intersections at Olympic Dr. and Point Fosdick Dr. Violators of this law can owe up to $1,000 or be sentenced up to 90 days in jail.

The logic behind this is sound. The point of this law is not to discourage the good Samaritans of the community, but the fact that panhandlers are placing themselves in areas with high traffic to make themselves known to more people cannot be ignored. It becomes hazardous for everyone, both the panhandlers themselves and the drivers. According to the Chief of the Gig Harbor Police Department, Kelly Busey, “This is not truly about panhandlers and more about public safety. One-third of our collisions happen near roundabouts.”

This is not the first time Gig Harbor has attempted to rid the city of panhandlers. In 2012, Gig Harbor tried to put laws in place that would eliminate panhandlers from the streets. However, it was deemed unconstitutional, and was vetoed. According to several protestors, if the law was to be passed, it would not only be contradicting the first amendment, but it would also limit the activity of legitimate groups including event sign holders, non-profit organization donation collectors, and the “Fill the Boot” charity fund.

So perhaps the city has found a loophole by providing reasoning based upon the safety of the citizens rater than mere personal annoyance.

The real followup is, will people actually abide by the law? And how strict will the enforcement of this law actually be?

Time will tell.