SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) – Members of the Slidell City Council are scheduled to meet tomorrow night to discuss and vote on a local law that would require panhandlers to obtain a permit before begging for money on public streets.
The ACLU of Louisiana is urging the council to vote against the ordinance, which, according to the group, violates First Amendment rights.
The ordinance says the application required to panhandle must be submitted “at least 48 hours before the first day sought for begging.”
The application should include the full legal name of the applicant, an address, phone number, e-mail address and any additional information needed to establish the applicant’s identify. This includes picture identification if possible.
Also, Slidell Police can render the permit useless if the application contains false information or if the applicant has been convicted of violating begging or panhandling ordinances within 12 months prior to the application date.
