Panhandlers Will Face Joliet Police Crackdown: Chief Evans

JOLIET, IL — If you've driven around Joliet in recent years, you've probably seen several panhandlers walking back and forth inside the lanes of traffic at the city's busiest intersections, notably Larkin Avenue and Jefferson Street.

But that's about to come to an end.

New Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans told Joliet Patch on Tuesday that starting this weekend, Joliet patrol officers would begin issuing citations to the men and women who are panhandling in the middle of traffic. Evans said that based on prior supreme court rulings, people are allowed to panhandle.

However, according to the police chief, Joliet's panhandlers are not allowed to become a public safety hazard by walking inside the traffic lanes while begging motorists for money.

On Tuesday afternoon, Joliet Patch captured several photos of a man who was holding a homeless sign as he walked back and forth on Larkin Avenue right in front of the White Castle restaurant.

Related coverage: Jefferson Street's Finest Hour? Tony's Fresh Market Opens

On several occasions, the man had his back turned to traffic as large semi-trailers whizzed right past him, heading south toward Interstate 80.

In that particular case, the police chief said, the man can legally panhandle from, say, the sidewalk, but he won't be allowed to stand in the middle of Larkin Avenue trying to collect money come July.

Joliet's crackdown on panhandlers comes as the city's busiest intersection, Larkin Avenue and Jefferson Street, undergoes a major transformation.

The previously blighted Kmart property, once an outdoor shelter for the homeless, opens for business at 7 a.m. Wednesday as the new Tony's Fresh Market. A Planet Fitness health club will also be opening on the west corner of the building.

The Tony's redevelopment marked a multi-million dollar investment in Joliet by the growing supermarket company.