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City to pay thousands for enforcing panhandling ordinance

September 6, 2019

ENFORCING THE CONTROVERSIAL PANHANDLING ORDINANCE. BUT NEWS 13 HAS LEARNED THAT SOME POLICE OFFICERS WERE TICKETING PANHANDLERS ANYWAY. NEWS 13 )S JACKIE KENT IS LIVE AT OAK AND LEAD WITH THE STORY… JACKIE. DEAN… UNTIL A FEDERAL COURT DECIDES WHETHER THE PANHANDLING ORDINANCE IS CONSTITUTIONAL… POLICE CANNOT CITE OR TELL PEOPLE TO LEAVE MEDIANS… FREEWAY ENTRANCES AND EXIT RAMPS. NOW… THE CITY WILL HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS, BECAUSE SOME OFFICERS DID IT ANYWAY. EVEN IN THE SUMMER HEAT… PANHANDLERS CAN BE SEEN ON ALBUQUERQUE MEDIANS AND FREEWAY ENTRANCES AND OFF-RAMPS. Maria Martinez Sanchez, ACLU staff attorney: Homelessness is very real. AND WHILE IT MAY BE A NUISANCE FOR SOME… Robyn Ray, Albuquerque: It is annoying to like, be asked for money constantly and it )s uncomfortable to stop at a stoplight and have somebody there watching you. Greyson Park, Albuquerque: I do pay taxes so the city can make resources to help them. I )d like to see them be able to use these resources. YOU LIKELY WON )T SEE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE ASKING THEM TO MOVE. POLICE HAVE BEEN KEPT FROM ENFORCING THE ORDINANCE SINCE FEBRUARY — WHILE A FEDERAL COURT DETERMINES WHETHER IT IS CONSTITUTIONAL. THIS WEEK– A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE ORDERED THE CITY TO PAY UP… AFTER THE ACLU CLAIMED A-P-D VIOLATED THE COURT ORDER. Maria Martinez Sanchez, ACLU staff attorney: For officers to continually enforce the order- it )s a pretty egregious violation. PUBLIC DOCUMENTS SHOW TWO A-P-D OFFICERS CITED PEOPLE ASKING FOR MONEY ON MEDIANS OR FREEWAY OFF- RAMPS — MORE THAN 10 TIMES IN MAY AND JUNE. NOW– THE CITY HAS AGREED TO PAY 75- HUNDRED DOLLARS TO THE NONPROFIT ALBUQUERQUE HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS. Robyn Ray, Albuquerque: I don )t think people should be fined for being panhandlers because they )re poor. A MEMO FROM THE POLICE CHIEF TO ALL A-P-D OFFICERS EARLIER THIS MONTH — REMINDS THEM OF THAT. THE MEMO STATES OFFICERS CANNOT ASK PEOPLE TO LEAVE ANY PUBLIC PLACE INCLUDING MEDIANS OR CORNERS — AND CANNOT ARREST OR CHARGE ANYONE FOR PANHANDLING. THE A-C-L-U FIRST FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY IN JANUARY… CLAIMING THE PANHANDLING ORDINANCE WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THE A-C-L-U SAYS THEYRE STILL IN DISCOVERY. DEAN… BACK TO YOU. OKAY, JACKIE. THE CITY HAS VOLUNTARILY (DISMISSED ALL OF THOSE CITATIONS HANDED OUT UNDER THE ORDINANCE. KRQE CARES ) “STORY TIME

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City to host talent show, seeking performers

September 4, 2019

IF YOU HAVE A TALENT, THE CITY WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. THEY )RE LAUNCHING A CITYWIDE SEARCH FOR ANYONE WHOSE GOT SOMETHING TO SHOWCASE. NEWS 13 )S REBECCA ATKINS IS LIVE AT CIVIC PLAZA WITH THE STORY. REBECCA. JESSICA, IT )S CALLED “SHOW UP A-B-Q”, AND IT )S THE FIRST TALENT SHOW OF IT )S KIND PUT ON BY THE CITY. THE FINALISTS WILL GET THEIR CHANCE TO PERFORM HERE AT THE UPDATED CIVIC PLAZA BEFORE A PANEL OF JUDGES. 3:10- 3:12 WITH SOME NEW UPGRADES, AND ADDITIONS LIKE THIS WATER FEATURE… CIVIC PLAZA IS DRAWING MORE PEOPLE THAN IT USED TO. 4:09 “And like the playground is really cool, I like it.” 4:12 AND NOW THE CITY IS WORKING TO BRING MORE EVENTS TO THE PLAZA AS WELL, LIKE A NEW TALENT SHOW CALLED “SHOW UP ABQ”. 6:33 “It )s kind of a re-imagining of an event we started a couple years ago called the local band showcase.” 6:41 0:10-0:12 BUT NOW, INSTEAD OF JUST BANDS, ERIC WERNER WITH CULTURAL AFFAIRS SAYS THEY )RE BROADENING THE SCOPE. 7:03 “Poetry, music, dance, magic, comedy.” 7:05 YOU NAME IT… WHATEVER YOUR TALENT, THE CITY WANTS TO SEE IT. 26:33 “Everyone in the city gets a shot at being a star.” 26:36 IT )S THEIR TAKE ON POPULAR MOVIES LIKE “SING” ABOUT A TALENT SHOW, OR NATIONAL TALENT COMPETITIONS ON MAJOR TELEVISION NETWORKS. 10:35 “It )s a great opportunity to really highlight all of the great performers that are in the city of Albuquerque. 10:40 YOU CAN SUBMIT A RECORDING OF YOUR TALENT, THEN THE LUCKY 20 OR SO FINALISTS WILL PERFORM AT CIVIC PLAZA. 8:26 “We )ll have some food trucks, a beer garden out here, it will be a nice Saturday afternoon.” 8:29 IT )S AN IDEA PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT. 0:45 “I think it )d be a good way to spice things up here.” 0:48 4:10 “I like it, it )s a really cool idea.” 4:13 AND PEOPLE SAY THEY )D LIKE TO COME AND ENJOY THE SHOW. 0:50 “I )m interested to see what people have got going here because New Mexico is very kind of well known for having talented people come out of it.” 0:58 THOSE VIDEO SUBMISSIONS OF YOUR TALENT CAN BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY )S WEBSITE EITHER THROUGH A YOUTUBE LINK OR SOUNDCLOUD. THE DEADLINE IS JUNE 22. JESSICA, BACK TO YOU. OK REBECCA. PRIZES WILL RANGE FROM HEADLINING A LIVE SHOW AT THE KIMO THEATRE, TO A SPOT IN THE LINEUP AT SUMMERFEST. .TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the 40s to mid

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Albuquerque college students finding opportunities in panhandling ordinance

September 4, 2019

PANHANDLING ORDINANCE… AS A WAY TO CONNECT WITH A STRUGGLING POPULATION. NEWS 13 )S FRANCESCA WASHINGTON IS HERE… TO SHOW US HOW. MADELINE, IT )S NOW ILLEGAL TO HAND SOMETHING TO A PANHANDLER FROM YOUR CAR. YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER, PARK AND GET OUT. SO THAT )S EXACTLY WHAT THIS GROUP OF ABOUT 20 U-N-M AND C-N-M STUDENTS DID TODAY. A FAMILIAR AND OFTEN UNCOMFORTABLE SIGHT FOR MANY. 7:34:04 “It’s something I )ve seen growing up every day. It’s easy to try to look away but they are there.” 7:41:27 PANHANDLERS AT INTERSTATE ON AND OFF-RAMPS, OR STANDING IN BUSY MEDIANS ACROSS ALBUQUERQUE. BUT IT )S A SIGHT DRIVERS MAY SEE LESS OF, NOW THAT CITY COUNCILORS PASSED AN ORDINANCE RESTRICTING (WHERE PEOPLE CAN PANHANDLE. IT ALSO SAYS DRIVERS CAN )T GIVE PANHANDLERS MONEY OR FOOD. THE SPONSOR OF THE ORDINANCE CLAIMS IT )S ABOUT PEDESTRIAN SAFETY. Trudy Jones, City councilor: Trying to conform into what some of the federal government wants as far as traffic safety. BUT OPPONENTS SAY IT )S A VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS. NOW, A GROUP STUDENTS FROM UNM AND CNM KNOWN AS SOIL. 5:51:05 “Which means sold out intentional living. We believe one of the best ways to be sold out and live intentional is to meet the need of the community around us.” 5:58:16 THEY )RE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE THIS CONTROVERSIAL ORDINANCE — AND FIND THE POSITIVE. 5:12:02 “Its most effective when we actually have to pull over because it gives us a unique opportunity to minister to that person, to really meet their need and really be intentional about meeting with those people. 5:21:26 TODAY, THE GROUP TOOK CARE PACKAGES FILLED WITH FOOD, WATER, TOILETRIES AND SOCKS — AND PASSED THEM OUT TO PEOPLE AT CORONADO PARK. 8:37:00 “Instead of shying away from them we )re embracing them.” 8:39:04 MEMBERS OF “SOIL” HOPE THEIR EFFORTS… WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO TAKE THE TIME TO PULL OVER AND REACH OUT. THE GROUP PASSED OUT 80 CARE PACKAGES TODAY — AND PLANS TO DO IT AGAIN, ROUTINELY. MADELINE, BACK TO YOU. THANKS FRANCESCA. IN REGARDS TO THE NEW ORDINANCE — THE CITY PLANS TO PUT SIGNS UP IN AREAS WHERE PEOPLE CAN LONGER PANHANDLE — BUT IT )S UNCLEAR

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Handmade bench creates comfort for panhandlers at Albuquerque intersection

September 2, 2019

ASKING FOR DONATIONS. BUT SOMEONE TRIED TO MAKE ONE MAJOR ALBUQUERQUE INTERSECTION MORE (COMFORTABLE FOR PANHANDLERS. NEWS 13 )S JEANNIE NGUYEN IS LIVE AT THE INTERSECTION OF I-40 AND 98TH WITH A LOOK. DEAN — IT )S NO SURPRISE TO SEE PANHANDLERS STANDING AT AN INTERSECTION LIKE THIS — BUT WHAT )S DIFFERENT HERE IS THIS SEAT. AND IF YOU TAKE A CLOSER LOOK — YOU CAN SEE IT SAYS )NEVER GIVE UP. ) FOR MANY DRIVERS — IT )S NOT A WELCOMED SIGHT. 5:01 “Why is that there?” 5:02 THAT — WOULD BE THIS BENCH THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN BOLTED ONTO A )DO NOT ENTER ) SIGN… AT THE INTERSECTION OF I- 40 WESTBOUND AND 98TH. 6:25 head cut off “What )s it for?” 6:26 THE BENCH IS GIVING PANHANDLERS A LITTLE COMFORT WHILE THEY ASK FOR DONATIONS. 7:58 “I like people to be comfortable, if they )re going to be there anyway.” 8:00 FOR DRIVERS WHO PULL UP CLOSE ENOUGH — THERE )S EVEN A MESSAGE ON THE SEAT. IT SAYS — NEVER GIVE UP. 5:39 “I think it )s a no no, it )s trash!” 5:41 0:10 “I hate it!” 0:11 BUT PEOPLE LIKE FERNANDO YGADO — APPRECIATES THE BENCH FOR WHAT IT IS. 3:12 “It )s very creative, it )s very nice! They had to come out here take some time to put it together.” 3:17 3:18 “They got a couple of bolts through there so yeah. It )s pretty neat though, it looks good.” 3:23 BUT THE MESSAGE ON THIS BENCH WON )T HAVE A CHANCE TO INSPIRE PEOPLE MUCH LONGER. A SPOKESPERSON WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TELLS NEWS 13 IT WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED FOR SAFETY REASONS, AND IT )S NOT ALLOWED IN THE RIGHT OF WAY. IT )S SOMETHING THE D-O-T DOESN )T SEE OFTEN AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHO DID IT. SO FAR — PEOPLE HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT IT… 7:03 “If it )s not hurting anybody, it )s perfectly fine there.” 7:05 0:21 “They should go do some work you know!” 0:24 2:44 “It says never give up, so it seems like somebody is trying to encourage these guys that are out here panhandling or something so that )s pretty cool you know?” 2:50 THE SPOKESPERSON WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TELLS ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG THIS BENCH HAS BEEN OUT HERE. THEY PLAN TO REMOVE IT THIS WEEK. DEAN — BACK TO YOU. THANKS JEANNIE. A HAPPY ENDING TO THE SEARCH FOR A FAMILY )S

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Pedestrian ordinance limits where you can give to panhandlers

August 29, 2019

COUNCIL PASSED A NEW ORDINANCE LAST NIGHT, THAT WILL RESTRICT WHERE PEOPLE CAN PANHANDLE AND WHERE PEOPLE CAN GIVE MONEY TO THEM. BUT ITS LEFT MANY CONFUSED. NEWS 13 )S JACKIE IS LIVE AT COAL AND I- 25 TO BREAK IT DOWN… JACKIE. KIM… IT )S NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE PANHANDLERS AT ON-RAMPS LIKE THIS ONE. IT )S ONE PLACE YOU CAN )T GIVE A HANDOUT ANYMORE. Anton Green, Albuquerque: They sit out here all day long and they just heckle people. PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH PANHANDLERS… ON HIGHWAY ON-RAMPS AND MEDIANS. LAST NIGHT CITY COUNCILOR TRUDY JONES HELPED PASSED A BILL THAT SETS RULES ON ALL ACTIVITY NEAR BUSY INTERSECTIONS INCLUDING PANHANDLING. Trudy Jones, City councilor: Trying to conform into what some of the federal government wants as far as traffic safety. Molenders: Specifically, it proposes to limit the locations that pedestrians can stand in and congregate in a high capacity high speed roadways. THE BIGGEST CHANGES IT MAKES PEOPLE CAN NO LONGER BEG FOR MONEY AT ON AND OFF RAMPS.. SOME OF THE MOST COMMON PLACES FOR PANHANDLERS. THEY ALSO CAN )T BE AT BIG INTERSECTIONS WITH HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUME LIKE THIS ONE.. THAT HAS A MEDIAN SMALLER THAN SIX FEET WIDE. ANYWHERE ELSE… THEY CAN STILL BEG FOR MONEY BUT YOU CAN )T GIVE THEM ANYTHING UNLESS YOU PULL OVER AND PARK SOMEWHERE. THAT MEANS YOU CAN )T ROLL DOWN YOUR WINDOW AT A STOPLIGHT.. AND HAND SOMEONE A DOLLAR. WHILE MANY ARE EXCITED THE CITY IS TAKING ACTION.. SOME SAY THE NEW RULES MIGHT NOT EVEN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THEY SAY IT TIPTOES AROUND THE CITY )S PANHANDLING PROBLEM. Jon Harnisch, Albuquerque: I think it )s a little bit confusing for people that live here. Anton Green, Albuquerque: In my opinion, I don )t think it )s going to help anything. I think it )s just going to stay the same. IF YOU )RE STILL CONFUSED ABOUT WHERE YOU C D CAN )T GIVE MONEY TO PANHANDLERS THE CITY PLANS TO PUT SIGNS IN RESTRICTED AREAS. BUT UNCLEAR HOW SOON THAT WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE ITS DEPENDENT ON MONEY . KIM… BACK TO YOU. OKAY… JACKIE. CITY COUNCILOR JONES SAYS THE CITY NEEDED TO TAKE ACTION BECAUSE OF THE STATE )S HIGH NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLIST DEATHS. THE ACLU HAD THREATENED TO SUE OVER THE ORDINANCE BEFORE IT WAS AMENDED…AND THEY STILL MAY. THEY SAY THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT ABOUT OVER THE ORDINANCE BEFORE IT WAS AMENDED…AND THEY STILL MAY. THEY SAY THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY IT )S ABOUT PUSHING POOR PEOPLE OUT OF PUBLIC PLACES. WE BELIEVE THIS LAW MAY BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND THE ACLU IS CURRENTLY EXAMINING OPTIONS FOR CHALLENGING IT.

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ACLU notifies NM cities of ‘unconstitutional’ panhandling ordinances

August 29, 2019

NEW PANHANDLING LAW. NOW — THE CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IS GOING AFTER TEN OTHER CITIES IN NEW MEXICO TO PUT A STOP TO THEIRS. NEWS 13 )S JACKIE KENT IS LIVE AT COAL AND I-25… JACKIE. JESSICA… DEAN… WHEN THE CITY PASSED A LAW BANNING PANHANDLING FROM DRIVERS IN PLACES LIKE THIS — THE ACLU FOUGHT IT AND PUT IT ON HOLD. NOW THEY SAY TEN OTHER CITIES ARE BREAKING THE LAW TOO. Haley Steer, Albuquerque: The homeless people- they )re just kind of everywhere, really. THEY )RE HARD TO MISS — PANHANDLING ON MEDIANS… FREEWAY OFF- RAMPS AND STREET CORNERS. Madison Hirshman, Albuquerque: All the time. Almost on every corner. Alyssa Lucero, Albuquerque: I wish there was more we could do to help them. THE ACLU OF NEW MEXICO DOESN )T THINK PANHANDLING LAWS ARE THE ANSWER. THE ACLU IS ALREADY IN LITIGATION WITH THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE OVER ITS PANHANDLING ORDINANCE… CLAIMING IT TRAMPLES FREE SPEECH RIGHTS. AND IN FEBRUARY THE CITY AGREED TO SUSPEND ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW UNTIL A JUDGE DECIDES IF IT )S CONSTITUTIONAL. TODAY THE ACLU SENT A MESSAGE TO 10 (OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE STATE… SENDING THEM THIS LETTER URGING THEM TO RESCIND WHAT THEY )RE CALLING UNCONSTITUTIONAL ANTI-PANHANDLING LAWS. Maria Martinez Sanchez, ACLU New Mexico Attorney: Those cities include Artesia, Elephant Butte, Espanola, Las Cruces, Los Lunas, Los Alamos, Mesilla, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Silver City. THE PENALTIES FOR PANHANDLING IN THESE CITIES INCLUDE FINES AND JAIL TIME — UP TO 500-DOLLARS AND 90 DAYS IN SOME CASES. Maria Martinez Sanchez, ACLU New Mexico Attorney: Arresting people and demanding they pay fees they cannot afford only perpetuates the problems that we see so visibly every day here in New Mexico. THEY SAY THEY )RE TARGETING THOSE CITIES BASED IN PART ON POPULATION — EVEN IF SOME OF THEM AREN )T EVEN ENFORCING THEIR ANTI-PANHANDLING LAWS. Maria Martinez Sanchez, ACLU New Mexico Attorney: Even if they )re not actively enforcing the law, that doesn )t get them off the hook for having an unconstitutional policy in place. SPECIFICALLY MENTIONING ARTESIA )S ORDINANCE — Maria Martinez Sanchez, ACLU New Mexico Attorney: … that ordinance actually requires someone who would like to request assistance of someone, that they get a license from the city. THE ARTESIA POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT HAS NOT GIVEN WHAT THEY CALL A )VAGRANCY ) CITATION IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. IN RIO RANCHO… IT )S ILLEGAL TO PANHANDLE AT NIGHT. AND IN SILVER CITY… PEOPLE CAN )T ASK FOR MONEY AT A BUS STOP. THE LETTER GIVES THE CITIES A DEADLINE TO RESPOND BY SEPTEMBER 11TH. IF THE ACLU DOESN )T LIKE WHAT IT HEARS BACK — IT )LL TAKE LEGAL ACTION. JESSICA… BACK TO YOU. OKAY, JACKIE. LIKE ARTESIA — LAS CRUCES SAYS IT DOES NOT ENFORCE ITS PANHANDLING LAW. WE CALLED THE OTHER EIGHT CITIES — INCLUDING RIO RANCHO AND SANTA FE — THEY WOULDN )T COMMENT ON THE ACLU )S DEMANDS. FRIENDS ARE REMEMBERING

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ACLU wins lawsuit against Albuquerque panhandling ordinance

August 27, 2019

A U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE HAS RULED THAT ALBUQUERQUE )S ANTI-PANHANDLING ORDINANCE… ( (VIOLATES FREE SPEECH PROTECTIONS. THE A-C-L-U FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY ORDINANCE IN 2018 — SAYING IT UNFAIRLY TARGETED HOMELESS PEOPLE. THE RULING JUDGE SAYS PEDESTRIANS WHO CHOOSE TO SEEK DONATIONS ON SIDEWALKS AND HIGHWAY RAMPS MAY BE TAKING AN EXTRA RISK, BUT BANNING ACCESS TO THE AREAS ( (WITHOUT PROVING EVIDENCE THAT IT WOULD LIMIT PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS, GOES AGAINST THE FIRST AMENDMENT. THE ACLU SAYS IT )S A MAJOR WIN. Maria Matinez-Sanchez, ACLU Attorney: This definitely gives credence to the fact the First Amendment still has teeth, that it )s still vibrant, that it still protects people )s speech. WE REACHED OUT TO THE CITY FOR COMMENT ON THE RULING… THEY HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN BACK TO US.

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City settles panhandling lawsuit at undisclosed amount

August 26, 2019

PANHANDLER LAST YEAR. HE ARGUED HE HAD EVERY RIGHT TO STAND ON A MEDIAN AND ASK FOR MONEY. SO WHAT WILL THAT MEAN FOR THE NEW PANHANDLING LAW THAT JUST WENT INTO EFFECT THIS YEAR? NEWS 13 )S REBECCA ATKINS IS LIVE AT RIO GRANDE AND I-40 WITH THE STORY — REBECCA. DEAN, THE BATTLE OVER WHETHER PEOPLE CAN STAND ON MEDIANS LIKE THIS ONE AND PANHANDLE CONTINUES. CITY COUNCILORS ARE HOPING THE NEW LAW WILL HOLD UP TO LEGAL CHALLENGES BETTER THAN THE LAST ONE. IF YOU DRIVE AROUND ALBUQUERQUE YOU )VE LIKELY SEEN JEFFREY SEYMOUR PANHANDLING. ONE OF HIS FAVORITE SPOTS? A MEDIAN ON COORS. AFTER GETTING ARRESTED TIME, AND TIME AGAIN, HE FILED THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND APD. 0:45 “You should be allowed to be out here holding our signs as long as you )re not being aggressive.” 0:50 AT THE TIME OTHER PANHANDLERS SUPPORTED HIS CAUSE. IN THE LAWSUIT, SEYMOUR ARGUED THAT HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED WHEN APD CITED AND CHARGED HIM FOR PANHANDLING, MORE THAN 15 TIMES–UNDER THE OLD ORDINANCE THAT BANNED PANHANDLERS FROM MEDIANS AND CURBS IF THEY BLOCKED TRAFFIC. WHILE THE CITY )S NEW ORDINANCE IS MORE SPECIFIC — IT )S HEADING TOWARD A LEGAL BATTLE AS WELL. 1:16 “From a legal perspective, and it is just downright unconstitutional.” 1:19 THAT WAS AN ACLU ATTORNEY EARLIER THIS MONTH TALKING ABOUT THE LAWSUIT IT FILED OVER THE CITY )S NEW (PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ORDINANCE (. 4:28 “This is a piece of legislation, we )ve worked on quite a while to make sure we did no harm.” 4:33 THE ACLU SAYS ALTHOUGH IT DOESN )T SPECIFICALLY MENTION PANHANDLERS, IT DIRECTLY TARGETS THEM. 0:00 “They aren )t fooling anyone.” 0:01 A CITY COUNCILOR WE SPOKE WITH SAYS THIS SETTLED LAWSUIT HAS NO BEARING ON THE NEW ORDINANCE… 5:55 “It proposes to limit the locations that pedestrians can stand in or congregate within high capacity, high speed roadways.” 6:02 THE ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY BANS PEOPLE FROM STANDING IN SPECIFIC PLACES — LIKE FREEWAY OFF- RAMPS AND MEDIANS WITHOUT SIDEWALKS — AND BANS PEOPLE FROM ANY PHYSICAL INTERACTION OR EXCHANGE WITH DRIVERS AT ANY OFF-RAMP OR INTERSECTION — ALL IN THE NAME OF SAFETY. 6:09 “It proposes to limit or prohibit physical exchanges between pedestrians and vehicles.” 6:14 EXCHANGES THAT OFTEN INVOLVE MONEY. THE CITY ATTORNEY )S OFFICE WOULD NOT TELL US HOW MUCH IT )S SETTLING FOR. THE MAYOR )S OFFICE SAYS THE LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED THROUGH THE CITY )S CLAIMS REVIEW BOARD. DEAN, BACK TO YOU. OKAY REBECCA. WE ALSO SPOKE WITH A-P-D ABOUT THE NEW ORDINANCE. THEY SAY FOR THE TIME-BEING THEY )VE BEEN TOLD TO GIVE WARNINGS AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THE NEW LAW.

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Proposed ordinance could crack down on panhandlers in Albuquerque

August 21, 2019

FREEWAY OFF RAMPS EVERYWHERE. NOW A CITY COUNCILOR WANTS TO CRACK DOWN ON PANHANDLERS WHO BEG DRIVERS FOR MONEY. NEWS 13 )S FERNANDA LOPEZ IS LIVE ON I-40 AND 12TH STREET WITH THE STORY — FERNANDA. DEAN. THE NEW LAW WOULD MAKE IT A “NO NO” FOR PANHANDLERS TO HANG OUT IN AREAS LIKE THIS. IT COULD ALSO CRACK DOWN ON DRIVERS WHO GIVE THEM everyday we see them, yeah pretty much everyday 2;51 A PROPOSED CITY ORDINANCE IS SUGGESTING SOME BIG CHANGES WHEN IT COMES TO PANDHANDLING. RIGHT NOW THE CITY HAS RULES AGAINST “AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING” AND PROHBITS IT ALTOGETHER ON OR NEAR PUBLIC TRANSPORT, CAFE )S AND BANKS … OR IF IT OBSTRUCTS TRAFFIC. Kenia Martinez, Lives in Albuquerque 1;43 I go up broadway and cesar someone always there 1;54 COUNCILOR TRUDY JONES IS THE BILL )S SPONSOR. IT WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR “ANY PERSON TO STAND OR WALK WITHIN ANY STREET MEDIAN” OR TO STAND ON ANY SIDEWALK IN ORDER TO INTERERACT WITH DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS. MEANING — PANHANDLERS WOULD LOSE THEIR FAVORITE SPOTS. THE NEW RULES WOULD ALSO IMPACT DRIVERS…. MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR THEM TO HOLD UP TRAFFIC FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF INTERACTING WITH A PEDESTRIAN — AS IN GIVING TO A PANHANDLER. Peter Simonson, Exec. Dir ACLU of NM6;15 it looks to us like another example of the city attempting to use legislation to move poor people out of general eyesight 6;26 THE A-C-L-U OF NEW MEXICO SAYS IT SEES A LOT OF CIVIL RIGHTS PROBLEMS WITH WHAT )S BEING PROPOSED . Peter 6;44 one fo those rights is that folks have the opportunity to solicit donations as an aspect of their free speech 6;50 DRIVERS AT RED LIGHTS WHO GIVE MONEY TO PANHANDERS WOULDN )T BE CITED, UNLESS THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND THEY )RE STILL STOPPED. COUNCILOR JONES SAYS HER PROPOSAL WILL LIKELY SEE SOME CHANGES BEFORE SHE INTRODUCES IT IN AUGUST. BACK TO YOU. OKAY FERNANDA. TWO YEARS AGO THE CITY POSTED SIGNS AT PANHANDLING HOTSPOTS LETTING DRIVERS KNOW THEY COULD GIVE MONEY TO CHARITIES THAT HELP THE HOMELESS AND HUNGRY INSTEAD… AS PART OF

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City to pay thousands for enforcing panhandling ordinance

City to host talent show, seeking performers

Albuquerque college students finding opportunities in panhandling ordinance

Handmade bench creates comfort for panhandlers at Albuquerque intersection

Pedestrian ordinance limits where you can give to panhandlers

ACLU notifies NM cities of ‘unconstitutional’ panhandling ordinances

ACLU wins lawsuit against Albuquerque panhandling ordinance

City settles panhandling lawsuit at undisclosed amount

Proposed ordinance could crack down on panhandlers in Albuquerque