Panhandling Ordinance

Congratulations to the Los Angeles City Council for finally tackling the aggressive panhandling problem within our city (June 26).

Aggressive begging puts the economic and social viability of streets and other public places at risk. Where aggressive panhandlers assemble, people are likely to feel unsafe. If people feel threatened in a particular place, they are likely to avoid the area, resulting in a decline in business and community life, and possibly increased crime.

Support of an anti-aggressive panhandling ordinance does not mean that a municipality is attacking its poor population, or ignoring or demeaning its plight. Nevertheless, a community can insist upon a certain level of conduct from panhandlers; compassion does not require giving panhandlers free license. Additionally, many communities have concluded that panhandling--rather than providing a service to the poor--feeds and enables addiction and perpetuates homelessness.

MICHAEL LEVINE

Los Angeles

* Will the new panhandling ordinance mean developers, corporations and sports tycoons have to plead, threaten and cajole to get the tax breaks (which the rest of us pay for) at some distance from ATMs, restaurants--and maybe City Hall?

JOE MAIZLISH

Los Angeles