Panhandling Ban Draws Mixed Reactions

The way Jaime sees it, she has no choice but to pandhandle in the New Tampa area. That doesn't mean she likes it, however.

"This is very degrading, very embarrassing," said the mother of a 19-month-old boy, adding she didn't want her last name used. "This is how I'm providing right now."

But Jaime and others like her will have to find some other way to provide come Nov. 1. That's when a new six-day-a-week ban on panhandling kicks in, the only exception being Sundays.

"I understand the concept, but I don't agree with it," said Jaime, who rides her bike from one of the communities. "They should allow it for more than one day. ... This is pretty detrimental."

Jaime said she is unemployed, has no money to fix the brakes on her car and desperately wants to work but can't find a job. Despite what some people assume about panhandlers, Jaime said she does not drink, smoke or do drugs.

What do New Tampa Patch readers say about the city's ban? Here's what you told us on Facebook:

• Kellie McRae: "considering the fact that there are over 17,000 homeless Veterans in the state of Florida, people who have lost their jobs & have families and can't find work & the economy still looking pretty ugly, I am disappointed in that decision."
• Jonathan Tigue: "I am a veteran and am happy with the vote. One of the problems with panhandling is believability. People don't believe because there are too many cons ready to take honest peoples money."
• Glynese Presley: "this protects their safety. some stand too close to the curb and are hard to see in the mornings."