Ordinance to Clear Blocked Sidewalks in Wapato

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Story Published: Jul 20, 2009 at 11:17 PM PDT

By Stacy Lilienthal

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WAPATO -- The city of Wapato just voted on another way to clean up their city for business. You may remember a few weeks ago when Action News told you they passed an ordinance prohibiting drinking from open alcohol containers in public areas. Now the city council passed what it feels is their next step for a safer town.

The city of Wapato just approved an ordinance that some believe will make downtown a safer place and better for business.

Panhandling is seen throughout the area. It's no different in Wapato. So it's unanimous. The council voted to give police the ability to fine or jail people who are panhandling, aggressively begging, or blocking people or cars downtown. "It's not going to clean up the act, but it gives some help to our business owners downtown who are complaining about the aggressive pandering and begging," Chief of Police, Richard Sanchez told the council. He said people downtown are sometimes intimidated. "They kind of block peoples way from getting out of their car and then stay on them as their walking."

But not all people are in favor of the new ordinance. "The homeless have no place to go. They have no freedom. They either have police on their back all the time or somebody else on their back all the time," Jim Carefoot said. He used to be homeless.

But the city hopes the new ordinance will help businesses and makes sure drivers don't have a blocked view of people about to cross the street.

The ordinance is set up so people being aggressive multiple times would face a worse punishment than someone just sitting on the sidewalk. If a judge finds someone guilty of obstructing sidewalks, or if the person pleads guilty, they could face up to 90 days in jail or a one thousand dollar fine.

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