Photos: Panhandling in Santa Barbara

Julie Cooper, 48, who lives out of her car, plays music on her electric keyboard while panhandling on State Street in Santa Barbara as young shoppers walk past.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Martin (no last name given), 57, has been panhandling on State Street in Santa Barbara over 20 years and is homeless. Martin uses a simple sign written on cardboard “please help thanks” but doesn’t engage in aggressive panhandling.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Martin greets his sister Lisa Wright, 56, right, who works as a nurse helping the homeless population in Santa Barbara.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A pedestrian pushes a huge cart of belongings across State Street in Santa Barbara.   (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Pedestrians and shoppers on State Street at East De La Guerra Street in Santa Barbara. State is the main retail and business district of the city.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Santa Barbara City Councilman and local business owner Randy Rowse, left, walks along State Street as he talks about his proposal to hire “security guides” to walk up and down the city’s popular promenade and intervene if someone is panhandling in an aggressive manner.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Dave Lombardi, who owns Distinctive Framing on State Street in Santa Barbara, talks about the problem of aggressive panhandling and the image of the city.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Pedestrians walk past a State Street art installation called “Crescent Crossing,” which the city has fenced to discourage panhandlers from gathering.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A sign by Frank “Wolv” Hunt, 20, uses humor to try to get passerby to give the Georgian some spare change.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)