Panhandlers Will be Warned Before Cited

Yakima Police officers will spend the next two weeks informing panhandlers of the new city law that bans them from receiving items from vehicles at many intersections in Yakima.

Capt. Rod Light says it will not be tough since all the officers know the local panhandlers. He says they will hold off on enforcement for the first two weeks.

“Anytime we have a new law we spend some time educating people about it before we starting taking enforcement action. After that however if they violate the law panhandlers will be arrested.”

Light believes the new ordinance will help clean up the city. He hopes panhandlers obey the law and that they do not have to make any arrests.