Homeless and the downtrodden already get public assistance (my tax money) through welfare & Food Stamps, & i have to be guilted into forkin over my gas money or risk bein mugged.

Panhandling should be illegal unless property owner (buisness owner says otherwise.

And if they have no food, no money, no home, jail will be a Bed & breakfast for them. Free Lodging & three squares a day, for Free!!! What are they bitchin about?

What I don't understand are the following:

1. Have they tried to go to a homeless shelter for food? Or apply for welfare?

2. Do they have access to a FoodBank?

3. Are they trying to get services to help find employment? (If they're being turned away for services, then the city needs to step in!)

4. Not all of them seek money for drugs and alcohol (often assumption people make)

I believe that they can try to get work with "Real Change" newspaper as a way to start earning money. (I love that paper!)

Panhandling is the lazy way out ! I WORK to pay rent, eat, to own a vehicle. Why would I dig into my wallet for a panhandler ? Some spend all day on freeway offramps, then get into a car at days end. What's that all about? Many see it as easy money, as lazy money ! Want REAL money? Get a job !

Tacoma banned panhandling last year. It is one of those thing were once it is gone you don't even notice it is gone. I can't even remember the last time I saw a panhandler in Tacoma.

It is sad that Fire Fighters are also banned from setting up legitimate fund raising campaigns. Fire Fighters throughout North America collect money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association that goes to thousands of children. Many of these children in the WA state area. It provides money for the research of finding a cure. Progress has been made on many levels. I hope that the City can overcome some of their own personal objections to panhandling. Their is a huge difference from a person standing on a street corner asking for money for themselves, versus a Fire Fighter asking for money to help Jerry's Kids.

I think it's a great move for Issaquah. I wish Bellevue, where I live, would do the same. I'm sick and tired of seeing them off the off ramp of I-90 in Eastgate. They leave trash everywhere. I hope the City of Bellevue follows Issaquah's lead!!

One of the panhandling men blame their problem on Multiple Sclerosis ??? Come On !!! I have MS and I do not, can not, would not think of doing the begging they do. If the person had done ANY work in their life they would have disabailty income to rely on not MY MONEY at the off ramp!!! IF his MS is so bad that he cannot work how come he can stand there for hours yet I cannot stand, walk, run, drive........... but I do not ask HIM for any money,,,,,,DO NOT USE the disease as your excuse PLEASE... I hope they stop them from begging money very soon......

I think your all mentally insane. You can't drive in the snow, you allow developement in area's where the roads can't possibly handle the extra traffic...You drive monsterous vehicles and bitch about gas prices and extra taxes..lol, but God forbid if you have to face a person who can't afford your lifestyle and has reached rock bottom. Whats the solution..shall we euthanize homeless people?? well i guess we can start by putting them in jail so we can't "see" them. Idiots..

I work at one of the businesses by the boardwalk in Issaquah. Last week my boss had to call the cops on a couple of homeless men for trying to dig under the fence behind my office to steal wood pallets from another invoice. We have also had to put up a no public restrooms sign on our front door. Some of the homeless here in Issaquah are very aggressive. It makes me nervous to work late at times because of them. I hope that through the new ordinance it will give them an incentive to find actual help.

I cannot believe you heartless people. I work and I pay taxes as well; however, I do not think I am above the homeless people out there just trying to survive. They are not living, they are merely surviving. Keep drinking your espressos, and driving your gas guzzling SUV's, and complaining about the rise in gas prices. That is what you do best. Some of the hardest workers in the United States are on welfare. It is obvious to me that you do not realize that food stamps only go so far and the food that is at the food banks is not enough for anyone to survive on. You think that you are doing these people a favor when you give them a can of old spinach or tuna fish that you were too good to eat. Well excuse the hell out of me, but you are all just insensitive and downright wrong in your ideas. Maybe some of these people are agressive. Wouldn't you be if you were starving and you watched the shadows of the living turn and walk away snubbing you all the way? I would guess just by some of the responses on here and the lack of the ability to use proper grammar that the people who are "working to feed those on welfare" are not educated. If you were, you would be able to see society in a different way and you would realize that it is people like you that keep these people opressed by treating them as less than human.

would u rather be a cold hartless person or asome that they are already ashamed of them selves ive already at the age of 17 had to do that myself so i know the shame and it was better than robbing or mugging the innocent but know the innocent critisize the poor that low pull ur head out of ur ass and find ur heart again people!!!!!!!!

would u rather be a cold hartless person or asome that they are already ashamed of them selves ive already at the age of 17 had to do that myself so i know the shame and it was better than robbing or mugging the innocent but know the innocent critisize the poor that low pull ur head out of ur ass and find ur heart again people!!!!!!!!

I agree with Charlie. I cannot believe you heartless people. Homeless people are out there just trying to survive.
With all the layoffs how would they be able to get a job and who would hire them? And if they end up in jail guess who pays for it. Not the government we are.

First rule, Todd :"Do not use obscene or offensive language". No one is criticizing the poor, but panhandling blights communities, and aggressive panhandling is as close to mugging as you can get.
I realize if you can't spell it makes getting a job a challenge, but I'm sure if you can use a computer you can figure something out.

To all you righteous people, why ddon't you go and pick up a panhandlers today. take hikm to your house, feed him, clean him up and buy him some clothes? What's WRONG with YOU? I don't believe panhandling is a "right." And it's a driver distraction. Instead of ticketing these guys tho', how about insisting the cops pick them up and drop them off at the mayor's office? Then the homeless can get registered and directed to the programs they need--and the mayor's staff will be aware of how many panhandlers there are in Issaquah. After the first pick-up and registration process, if the panhandlers shouldn't need to panhandle. Ticketing and arrests won't really work; but if the mayor's office gets the experience of listening & dealing with the panhandlers directly, maybe they'll find a littel money to house these guys and help them find REAL jobs. Holding a sign and hassling people for money is NOT acceptable. The Millionaires Club in Seattle is an excellent program, but you have to be STRAIGHT to work there. Many of the panhandlers refuse to acccept basic terms of clean living.

Hey, why not euthanize one a day and then feed their flesh to the homeless you round up into concentration camps? That would make them "go away"... That's all you want, to not see them. Nazis...

I think it a very good idea. I live in Auburn, and we have about 20 of them everyday. The sad part is maybe one panhandler of them really is just out of options. But most are out at 9:00 am begging for money and are 2 blocks from the Labor Ready Employment Office, but are to lazy to actually WORK for money. I'm ok with giving some food to help a guy who hasn't eayen, but giving money doesn't help anyone.

Congratualtions!!!!!!!!!!!!! This should be illegal throughout the state. There are plenty of assistance centers/programs to help those who are down and out. I fork over a ton of money via taxes that I know are funnelled to some of these programs.

Yeah, Issaquah. These people have no place along our highways and intersections. Think they really are down and out? How many do you see smoking? Check out the cost of cigarettes!

Issaquah should allow for fund raising and charitable organizations to be permitted to solicit at designated intersections.

Whats wrong with you people? You just want to make everything illegal? I thought this was a free country....well, check again.
Your all sheep....Baaaaaaaahhh

I like the rounding them up, feeding them to each other idea. After all, having to look at our societies problem of homelessness is the issue here! Free country? Here? Ha! There are so many laws I'll bet there's nobody who goes through a typical day without breaking one. Sheep? Yep. Nazis? Yep. with some lemmings tossed in just to make sure

Give to the shelters and food banks then you know the money is not going for smokesalcohol and drugs and other bad habits.. All the pan handlers I see smoke and what is the price of smokes now days. They know they have a good thing, just stand and beg and get free money. You can drive home and say gee I helped a homeless person today buy smokes, liquor and drugs. That warm your heart. Or give to shelters and food banks, last time I checked they hand out food blankets etc no smokes/liquor. Their are tons of food banks missions that help these people give to them. I hope more cities ban this activity. I have heard it all with them, they can sure come up with the stories. I'll close by saying Good Bless

This law is disgusting and appears as though it was passed just so lawmakers could seem as though they're addressing a problem, when they really aren't. The real issues are homelessness and poverty; this law doesn't address either, as far as it has been reported. People in need won't simply go away if you tell them to. All the law will do is make it so that drivers don't have to look these problems in the face anymore. It shoves people in need aside only so they can become someone else's problem. Lawmakers in Issaquah have apparently forgotten that the people who are in need (and should receive help) are the ones with no food or homes, NOT the ones driving to their homes in their warm cars who feel uncomfortable for the two seconds it takes to pass by a panhandler.

does it make sense that people with no place to call home are thinking 'gee, smoking is bad for my health'. Tell ya what - spend a couple nights homeless and you'll probably want a beer and a smoke too. after all, what else do you have?
i just don't understand the thinking behind 'they have a good thing, just stand and beg and get free money'. good thing? really? if it's such a good thing, why aren't more people doing it?
it really disturbs me the same person who can say with a straight face 'God bless' can also turn a blind eye to a brother or sister. we're a sick bunch we are.

Wow! I can't believe some of the ignorance here. So sorry that any of you yuppies in your $75,000+ car, $300 shoes and million dollar house might have to see that there are actually poor people in your community.

Burger King is hiring! You want money? WORK for it.

As long as there are fast foods, there will ALWAYS be work. It's not great but it's a start and it's SOMETHING!

I know someone who was living in her car...I worked with her, at Burger King. My husband and I took her in because she was trying really hard to get her life together. She now works in construction and lives on her own. So,
unless you are SERIOUSLY mentally ill or disabled, you have NO EXCUSE!

Mark, your answer is to enable them...yeah by God, that fixes the problem. Just keep giving them your money...I ask you, what have YOU done to help the homeless lately, HUH?

We all work hard for the money that is in our pockets and I am sure we all give in one way or another...how DARE you judge hard working people for being "heartless"? Maybe they are just tired of being taxed to high heaven and giving their money away to people who can, but won't do something for themselves...or even TRY to make a living?

If you care so much about these panhandlers, why don't you take one in and help him/her on their way?!? Instead of preaching to us and calling us Nazi's?

That word is use way too much lately...

Mark did it ever enter your mind most of these pan handlers are not really homeless/disabled or give a crap about God Bless. Why not give money to food banks/shelters? Did you see the kiro special about how many are really are not homeless. Maybe you just fall for their acting. I will continue to give to food banks/shelters and know it will help in the right way. If people would not hand them cash maybe some would try to change their lives and make something out of it. Give to places that provide education, and other neccessities. Most of these people that can stand for hours on end cant work? I offered a job to more then one pan handler to do landscaping, they said why I make more standing here. Just my thoughts Mark.

I agree with most you you it
is about time something was done. Have you ever offered
to take one of those panhandlers to get something to eat or some warm clothes? Most will not take you up on that because
that is not what they really want. I also totally agree about the smoking, at
$4.00 or $5.00 a pack that is a luxury ! There are many
many businesses w/in a few blocks that are looking for
people to work. Get a job !

Giving to shelters is fine...a great idea.
I think what mark is saying....just how many people around here actually "care"?
Not many, i can tell you. People in Issaquah, Bellevue...I see a lot of "show offs". Show offs don't care about much other than themselves. Some of these homeless ARE mentally disabled...and CAN'T get a job!! our lovely health care system, doesn't help them. they put them back on the street. Ya think burger king is gonna hire one of these guys? Your friggin nuts!! Our jails are already too full. Nazi's may be a bit much...Idiots, is more appropriate for people around here:)

here's the thing, when you give to a food bank or a mission or whatever you've decided that agency 'knows what's best'. You can go home feeling satisfied that you did your part. But did you really? I don't think so, not even close. if anything, you soothed your own conscious. Do I tend to gravitate towards enabling? Probably. My several years working closely with the homeless community fundamentally changed me as a person. I don't have a lot of patience for what I see as blaming the poor for their problems. There really is a simple solution to homelessness - affordable housing. It's the political will that's missing. I personally find it shameful a person can die outside without a place to call home. That's not the America I was raised to believe in. A good portion of folks on the streets have addiction issues. do you think a single one of them likes it? do you think people hooked on crack or booze or whatever are proud of that?
it would be nice if things were packaged up nice and neat with precise labels, but we're talking complex issues here. Issues that require a significant measure of empathy, creative thinking, and persistence if we want to even have a shot at solving them. What do we do though? Close the drug rehabs and build more jails.
That's where we're at. I'll stop for now...

hey mark how much of your income have you given to mental health/drug and alcohol clinics and affordable housing? Do you voluteer for such programs and if so where? Do you own a house?? call the county and tell them to raise your taxes to pay for it. What did you do for the homeless for several years? Lots of these people have housing or places to stay. I asked several transients who were in a park if they were ok with their lives, they said yes we dont have to work, pay bills or answer to anyone. Most like the lives they lead. So Mark you think the answer is handing money out your window to panhandlers and building housing is the answer? Let hear your credentials Mark on working with the homeless?

it doesn't take credentials to care and to find the time to do something. i think it's about priorities. we all have differences of opinions on the best way to get there, but i think we all want to get to the same place.
credentials are nice, and will get a guy a job. but the participation and caring needed here can come from anyone whether they have a masters or a ged. Don't get me wrong, handing out beer money won't solve things. miller and anheuser busch will say thanks, and so will the guy desperately trying to escape his miserable reality for a couple more hours.
building affordable housing, on the other hand, is a real solution. who's going to do it though? Who's going to pay for it? if there was money in it it would happen today, ya know? providing affordable housing is something I hope one day we see as a moral issue. I like what you mentioned about chatting with the guys in the park. Being non productive certainly offers freedom. their alarm isn't reminding them from a nice sleep it's time to get up and do it all over again. but look a little deeper, do you really think the folks you met feel fulfilled with their lives? would you be? seems like a no brainer to me, but then again i recall about a year ago working with a client who'd been living in the woods for almost 20 years, and not in a log cabin. more than one gov't agency explained to me it was his choice - that he's fine. imagine thinking its a good idea to sleep in the dirt. this one still baffles me. i'd say pride is mostly speaking when someone explains away their obvious less than situation. Wouldn't we all pretty much do the same thing? honestly, would you expect them to admit things aren't quite the way they'd like? isn't it obvious????

wow imagine this, I work my ass off and pay taxes for 1/2 of that a day.
COOS BAY, Ore. - A police survey says panhandlers outside Wal-Mart in Coos Bay can make $300 a day. Inside, it takes a clerk a week to make that much.

Police say people who have a problem with that needn't look to the law - asking for money is considered protected free speech.

Coos Bay authorities say most panhandlers are not criminals.

Coos Bay Police Captain Rodger Craddock says most have lived in the city a long time and they actually have homes. Craddock says, "This is just their chosen profession."

He says most are docile, and that people should report those who are not.

Bob More, director of housing and emergency services at South Coast Community Action, says many panhandlers are there for the money - to feed their addictions.

He suggested a voucher system involving tickets people could give that are good

that coos bay story is complete nonsense and is a perfect example of blaming the poor for poverty.

someone panhandling probably got lucky one day, brought in three hundred bucks when he asked the right person at the right time for a couple dollars.

while i'm not at walmart in coos bay investigating for myself, i'd gladly bet my bottom dollar the scenario i mentioned is closer to the truth than folks living in homes, choosing begging as their profession, and raking in hundreds a day.

how many panhandlers have you seen drive off in a lexus?

stories like that help us justify turning a blind eye when we should be humbling ourselves.

that coos bay story is complete nonsense and is a perfect example of blaming the poor for poverty.

someone panhandling probably got lucky one day, brought in three hundred bucks when he asked the right person at the right time for a couple dollars.

while i'm not at walmart in coos bay investigating for myself, i'd gladly bet my bottom dollar the scenario i mentioned is closer to the truth than folks living in homes, choosing begging as their profession, and raking in hundreds a day.

how many panhandlers have you seen drive off in a lexus? how many panhandlers have you seen drive off at all!!??

stories like that help us justify turning a blind eye when we should be humbling ourselves.

put your believer on mark, they make enough to keep doing it because people like you keep handing them money. If it was only a few dollors they would not stand their all day. Keep supporting their bad habits and they will keep standing their. Maybe we can provide free alcohol and smoking addictions for them because you help keep their addictions alive. Give to alcohol/drug clinics that help them get off of it.