Panhandling ordinance fails in Grand Rapids

With public objection pushing elected leaders away from a package of panhandling restrictions, two city commissioners urged that Grand Rapids at least ban begging from motorists.

But a 3-3 vote led by First Ward commissioners Dave Shaffer and Walt Gutowski on Tuesday, June 3, failed to get a majority.

Article here. 

This means that panhandling is still legal in Grand Rapids.

ACLU tells local municipalities to repeal anti-begging laws

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – On the heels of a federal judge striking down the state’s panhandling statute, the ACLU of Michigan has sent notices to 84 communities – including many in West Michigan – urging their anti-begging ordinances be repealed.

Article here. 

An Oct. 29 letter sent to the Ada Township attorney said: “We have reviewed your city ordinance and understand it to read as follows: No person shall: … Beg in any public place. …
“Ada Township’s ordinance, like the state law struck down in (the Grand Rapids case), prohibits begging in public places and is therefore unconstitutional on its face. We therefore advise you to repeal the ordinance and to instruct your local law enforcement agency to stop enforcing it immediately.”