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Panhandlers Barred From Sitting Down on the Job

KTLA News

August 14, 2008, 8:34 PM PDT

 

SANTA MONICA -- Panhandlers will soon have to stand up when soliciting in the seaside city.

The Santa Monica City Council voted last week to bar panhandlers from sitting or lying down on public benches or chairs.

The ordinance effects the Promenade area to the Transit Mall, which stretches along Broadway and Santa Monica Boulevard between 2nd and 4th streets.

City officials say they're not out to get panhandlers or the homeless.

Rather, they say the law is designed to free up limited public seating.

And, by the way, panhandlers aren't the only ones who must stand up while doing business, so does anyone else soliciting money whether they're collecting for charity or selling girl scout cookies.

The new law must first be approved on second reading.

 

My question..If it is public seating.. does that mean that panhandler, girl scouts and charity workers are hereby declared NOT the public?