Police: Begging incidents up 400%

Centerville council OKs panhandling restrictions.

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By Terry Morris, Staff Writer Updated 10:47 AM Wednesday, February 22, 2012

CENTERVILLE — Centerville is the latest area community to crack down on aggressive panhandling, responding to what police chief Bruce P. Robertson said has been a “400 percent increase in complaints since July 2011.”

City council unanimously approved an emergency measure Monday to immediately regulate and prohibit begging in the city.

Robertson said the main area of concern has been “along Wilmington Pike near I-675, an area with a high rate of traffic accidents. With the possibility of more bad weather this season, we don’t want anyone to get hurt.” Centerville police responded to 21 traffic accidents on that stretch of Wilmington Pike during 2011.

Centerville Police information officer Matt Dunn said the department received a total of four complaints about panhandling in the city between July 2010 and July 2011. “Since then, we’ve had 17.”

Dunn said some of those seeking handouts “may have moved to other areas with a high volume of traffic” since the city of Dayton passed a law (in July 2011) restricting beggars.

Beavercreek and West Carrollton have approved similar ordinances. Moraine is considering one.

“Most of the time, from what we’ve observed, these individuals have remained on the edges of the roadway or on the sidewalks, but we did witness one incident where the person entered the road and was walking up to vehicles stopped in traffic between Feedwire Road and I-675. They are trying to find someone who will throw them money. This gives us a specific order we can pursue.”

Businesses that flank the road include a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Bob Evans restaurant, Morris Furniture store, Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet, Godfather’s Pizza and a U.S. Bank. Home Depot and Target have stores nearby on Feedwire Road.

Centerville’s law prohibits panhandling done in an aggressive manner, or with false or misleading representations about why the money is needed. It sets a proximity limit of 20 feet from pedestrians waiting in line and at banks and bank machines, bus stops, vehicles and public buildings.

Charitable solicitation on private property, with the permission of the property or business owner, still is permitted.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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