City officials will look into strategies to crack down on the growing number of panhandlers approaching motorists on local streets.
But they conceded that their hands may be tied in controlling a problem they say is hurting the city’s image as they embark on a citywide revitalization program.
Mayor Donald Peloquin said officials must be careful not to act in a way that violates the civil rights of the panhandlers, who have been seen approaching motorists on main thoroughfares such as Western Avenue, Kedzie Avenue and 127th Street.
“We have to find out what legal standing we have in regards to those types of things,” Peloquin said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Peloquin also directed Police Chief Doug Hoglund to study what surrounding towns are doing to address the problem.
Officials said that most of the panhandlers are homeless and that they have tried to have them placed in area shelters. But, often they return to the streets the same day, officials said.