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I beleive that there is a very simple solution to the issue of 'panhandling.'
The answer is to do the same with panhandlers as would be done with any civic organiztion, ie as if say CLCF or CWLL was going to raise money for going to Williamsport for the ILL World Series.
In order to solicit for money, and organization must be registered as a charitable agnecy and must be on file with the Sec. of State.
So, in a similar fashion, why not make panhandlers 'register' with the Cranston City office of permits and then issue a card which can be worn with a lace around the neck with a picture ID of the person. This way, they can be identified and legal just as any charitable org. must obtain to solicit money from the public. If a panhandler is caught w/o their registration ID then they can be issued a citation, simlar to a parking ticket for first offender with increasing penalties for further offenses which can be severs as most of the panhandlers seem to already be on probation for other offenses, so they would not want to get violated, which would send them to jail for not staying out of trouble.
Doing this will stop those (or most, as nothing is foolprof) with evil intent, while allowing them to keep their rights to solicit money and everyone is happy, or at least a happy 'medium' from both sides.
Those who are serious offenders can be prevented from being issued registration cards. Perhaps the city can also charge a registration fee like $50.00 to obtian a card for the vetting process. After all, these p/h's claim to make up to $400 per day doing so!
I would like it if they werent allowed to do it at all, but thats never gong to happen, so the next best thing...
Perhaps they can also be required to give a S.S. # and tax their proceeds as well!
Anyway, thats just my idea for a temporary solution to this neverending growing mess to our city. Maybe the Council should take note of this solution as it would not seem to violate their right to solicit money, so it would be legal to enforce.
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