Panhandling in the city of Glendale is no longer a crime. Earlier this month, the City Council there voted unanimously to reverse its earlier ban.
The city passed the ban in 2022, but in July, three Glendale residents filed suit arguing that the panhandling ban violated their First Amendment rights. In response, a city attorney recommended Glendale repeal the ordinances to avoid what he said would be costly litigation.
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers explained his vote to repeal the ordinances.
"I'm concerned on the safety of pedestrians, which is the main reason why these ordinances were originally passed. And I just hope that this doesn't work backwards on us."
The ban’s challengers were represented by the ACLU and ASU’s First Amendment Clinic. An assistant professor for the clinic said in a statement that repealing these unconstitutional laws is an admission that the First Amendment protects the poor and disadvantaged, as well as the powerful.
