Council Tentatively Approves Ban on Begging at Airport
Bolstered by a 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Los Angeles City Council gave preliminary approval Friday to an ordinance banning solicitation of money from passengers at Los Angeles International Airport.
Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, whose district includes the airport, said the measure is needed to protect travelers from aggressive panhandling. Councilmen Mike Feuer and Richard Alarcon voted against it.
But in testimony shortly before the council’s 9-2 vote, leaders of Right Way Youth Activities, which raises money for an inner-city youth program, said the measure unfairly lumps in legitimate groups with the abusive or fraudulent ones. They said the group is funded entirely by airport solicitations.
William Mall, property manager of Terminal 2, offered an opposing view.
“There is no other airport in the country that permits rows of people in various costumes . . . addressing passengers with threats, profanities and insults on their way to the airplane,” Mall said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
