The Memphis Dues

A $10 fee for a panhandler's license has gone into effect in Memphis, Tennessee. Hardly a sign of the apocalypse, and a nominal amount too, not having a permit is a misdemeanor.

Panhandling is the solicitation of any item of value, monetary or otherwise, made by a person, other than an exempt organization, acting on his/her own behalf, requesting an immediate donation of money or exchange of any services; or any person, acting on his/her own behalf, attempting to sell an item for an amount far exceeding its value, or an item which already offered free-of-charge to the general public, and under circumstances a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is in substance a donation.

Though, as we would expect in these times, there are those that think this a great imposition, it seems like a common sense way to regulate this activity. Any other legitimate business has an obligation to announce its presence and the identity of its principle operators, (I do in two counties here in Florida), so, why not this one too.

Any person panhandling within the below described geographical or restricted areas shall be required to have a permit, as issued by the city treasurer, or his designee, in his/her possession at all times, subject to exhibition on demand by any person, and shall be subject to conditions as set out in the following paragraphs (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i).