City Council strengthens ordinance on solicitations

The Atlanta CityCouncil on Monday approved by a vote of 9-5 an amendment to strengthen thecity’s commercial solicitation ordinance to combat aggressive and persistentpanhandlers. 

Michael Julian Bond

Under the new amendedordinance it shall now be unlawful for any person to commercially solicit byblocking the path of the person solicited, by following or walking alongsidethe person solicited or by using profane or abusive language, either during thesolicitation or following refusal.
The new amendedordinance also makes illegal accosting or focusing oneself upon the company ofanother, by any statement, gesture, or other communication which a reasonableperson in the situation of the person solicited would perceive to be a threat, orby touching the person solicited.
Upon conviction, theviolator could be sentenced to imprisonment of up to 180 days in jail, althougha judicial system would have discretion on sentencing.
“It is my intent toaddress what my constituents say is a problem,” said Council Member MichaelJulian Bond, the author of the amendment. “We need to change behavior. I wantto be clear. This paper is not about homelessness. It’s about aggressivepanhandling.”
A special work sessionis scheduled from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Tuesday, (Sept. 18) in CouncilCommittee Room No. 2 at Atlanta City Hall to discuss the city’s overallcommercial solicitation ordinance.
In other action, the CityCouncil:

COO Duriya Farooqui

Approved Mayor KasimReed’s appointment of Duriya Farooqui as chief operating officer, for the city. Ms. Farooqui has served as Interim COO since December 2011. 
Approved a resolutionby Council Members Kwanza Hall, Carla Smith, Cleta Winslow, C. T. Martin, IvoryL. Young, Jr. and Michael J. Bond as amended by the Transportation Committeeadopting a Parking Bill of Rights.
The Parking Bill ofRights states that it is the belief of the Atlanta City Council that the cityshould have (1) working, easy-to-use type of parking meters; (2) clearly marked parkingspaces; and (3) clear and understandable signs.
A certified copy ofthe resolution shall be sent to the city’s chief executive officer, the chiefoperating officer and the regional manager of ParkAtlanta and its parentcompany, Duncan Solutions, Inc.