The City Attorney's Office and LAPD asks for the neighborhood's help on panhandler concerns in the Atwater Village area
The LAPD recently received a complaint concerning panhandlers in the Atwater Village area. Specifically, one person near Glenhurst or Glenfeliz who stands on a cement median or parkway area. LAPD conducted some surveillance to try and catch a pedestrian in the roadway or agressive panhandling violation. However, what they noticed were individuals driving or walking by, who gave the complained of party money, food, drink, etc. --- without specific prompting.
There is generally no violation of law when a person stands on property otherwise treated as a public way.
Additionally, holding a sign or asking for money is usually afforded some type of First Amendment protection (absent other factors).
The City Attorney's Office and LAPD are asking that neighborhood groups help them out by telling their neighbors, members, etc., or publishing on the email systems, a recommendation to residents that they should give to established charities that feed the homeless, or established 501c organizations that contribute to other aspects of social welfare, as opposed to making panhandling a lucrative business in Atwater Village.
Most panhandlers only remain in a location so long as it remains a profitable expenditure of their time.