KJZZ

The Tempe City Council wants to crack down on unwanted panhandling. The council decided Thursday on changes that could please downtown business owners but may upset others. KJZZ’s Al Macias reports.

City council members are trying to limit street begging  which has become a growing problem in popular areas such the Mill Avenue.

The amendments would make it illegal to solicit within 10 feet of a business entrance or 15 feet from any transit stop or taxi stand.

Noel Dickson says she is homeless and survives off panhandling. She says these amendments are too much and would hurt her.

"It’s going to really cut down on the money and I’d be forced to maybe going into the highways to make money to survive and when you do that then you’ve got chances of meeting authority either way," Dickson said.

The new limits would also apply throughout ASU’s Tempe campus and other high traffic areas.