DCAPB Calls on Community Leaders to Halt "Aggressive Panhandling" Ordinance

Martin Luther King Day demonstration in downtown Detroit where more than a thousand people called for the end to the Iraq war, racism and poverty. (Photo: Cheryl LaBash, WW)
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos.

Halt the New "Aggressive Panhandling" Oridinance That Will Disproportionately Affect Detroit's Growing Poor and Homeless Population

Dear Community Leader,

The Detroit City Council on Thursday, April 26, 2007, will be considering an amendment to the City Charter that would allow the initiation of an aggressive panhandling ordinance. The City currently has ordinances and state statutes that cover disorderly conduct, loitering and assault. This provision addresses what the Council is considering. This proposed law would disproportionately and adversely impact the homeless, (“displaced workers”) who represent a growing group in Detroit during these depressed times.

Most of those who are homeless are veterans and the mentally ill who are in need of care and not consequence. We do not want to allow police officers to engage in enforcement activities, which give wide latitude for potential confrontation. Many of these homeless (“displaced workers”) are African American who have been targeted enough during the current economic downturn.

We ask that your organization send a supporting letter to our organization’s effort to stop this regressive legislation. Please send correspondence to the members of the Detroit City Council prior to Thursday, April 26, 2007. Their contact information is below.

Also, join us in the Council Chamber of the Whole on Thursday, April 26th at 9:00 a.m.

For more information contact us by the phone number or email address listed below.

Yours In Unity,

DCAPB
Contact:
Ron Scott 313.587.6466
DetCoalition@sbcglobal.net

/TC

THE DETROIT CITY COUNCIL
Contact Information

Council President
Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr.
1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-4505 (office)
(313) 224-0367 (fax)
E-mail: CockrelK.CNCL.Council@kcockrel.ci.detroit.mi.us
Contact Person: John C. Clark

Council President Pro Tempore
Monica Conyers
1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-4530 (office)
(313) 224- 2011 (fax)
Contact
Chief of Staff, Sam Riddle
email: riddles@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Ellen

Council Member
JoAnn Watson
1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC)
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-4535 (office)
(313) 224-1524 (fax)
E-mail: WatsonJ@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Contact Person: Sandra Epps or Ms. Blake

Council Member
Sheila M. Cockrel
1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-1337 (office)
(313) 224-0369 (fax)
E-mail: S-Cockrel_mb@ckrl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Contact Person: LaWanda Hails Ruffin

Council Member
Barbara-Rose Collins
1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-1298(office)
(313) 224-0372(fax)
E-mail: Collins_MB@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Contact Person: Renee Baker

Council Member
Kwame Kenyatta
1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-1198(office)
(313) 224-1684(fax)
E-mail: K-Kenyatta_MB@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Contact Person: Marcia Venson

Council Member
Alberta Tinsley-Talabi
1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-1645 (office)
(313) 224-1787 (fax)
E-mail: A_Talabi_mb@atwpo.ci.detroit.mi.us
Contact Person: Dorotha Hannah
Council Member
Martha Reeves
1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-4510(office)
(313) 224-0230(fax)
E-mail: m-reeves_MB@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Contact Person:
Council Member
Brenda Jones

1340 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-1245 (office)
(313) 224- 4095(fax)
E-mail: Bjones_MB@cncl.ci.detroit.mi.us
Contact Person: Thea White