Fighting Panhandling Downtown

Memphis, Tn - With thousands of Tiger fans downtown Saturday night, the panhandlers take to the streets.

It’s a problem that Memphians who come downtown have had to deal with for a long time. It’s also become a headache for tourists.

There are two purposed ordinances that could change the panhandling situation for good. The Center City Commission, along with other organizations and community members, hope banning the sale of single beers and restricting panhandling to designated areas will finally change what's become the norm.

Under the proposed ordinances, it's a misdemeanor to panhandle in the area sited by the Commission.

Myron Lowery says, “What is not there right is for them to harass people to pull on them and to beg and to make people feel uncomfortable.”

According to the ban on single sales ordinance a violation could land you as a business in front of the Memphis Alcohol Commission.

Lowery says, "These panhandlers are taking a little bit of money they're buying beer and they're becoming much more aggressive."

Beale Street business owner Silky Sullivan says he supports the plan and says there is no place for panhandling on or near Beale Street, "I think it's bad for it scares allot of people off some are all right. A lot of them are too aggressive."