NB City Councilor Proposes Licensing All Panhandlers

All panhandlers will be required to get a free license with the city of New Bedford.

According to Southcoast Today, for the council's meeting on Thursday night, newcomer Ian Abreu will propose that all panhandlers be required to obtain a license. Abreu said it would also give the city an opportunity to make contact with people in need in order to offer them government services.

Abreu says he is basing the ordinance on a similar anti-panhandling law in Akron, Ohio that requires registration with the police chief and prohibits begging after sunset or before sunrise.

The city council will take up the proposition this week.