December 28th, 2011 by WCBC Radio
As Allegany County Sheriff Craig Robertson works with the County Commissioners and the local legislative delegation to formulate the best solution to policing the growing number of panhandlers- its not a simple issue. First amendment rights; private property versus public property; traffic safety issues; enforcement and prosecution are a part of any plan to adequately address the problem. The easiest answer may be for the county to simply be included in the already existing state law that addresses panhandling- however, according to the state attorney general’s office, while the state law prohibits soliciting a ride, employment or business- it says nothing about donations. Even if that language can be worked around, Allegany County Attorney Bill Rudd said it’s essential to involve States Attorney Mike Twigg in the discussion- as ultimately it will be his office that will be responsible for prosecuting any individual arrested and charged with panhandling…
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