Attack on mayor unwarranted

This is a response to “Mayor’s veto may scuttle measure” [page one, April 20].

When I read about City Councilmember Tim Burgess’ aggressive-panhandling measure, I immediately sent messages protesting the measure to him and City Council President Richard Conlin.

I pointed out that I am a frequent downtown visitor. I shop, visit the art museum, library and Benaroya Hall; eat, attend meetings, visit friends day and night and have not been aggressively panhandled by anyone. I am a5-foot-2 senior citizen with no training in the martial arts.

The attack on Mayor Mike McGinn [“Missteps are mounting for Mayor Mike McGinn,” editorial, Opinion, April 21] was unwarranted, as were comments about City Councilmember Bruce Harrell.

— Jan O’Connor, Seattle

End, not criminalize homelessness

Mayor Mike McGinn is not listening? When Tim Burgess’ aggressive-panhandling bill came up for a vote last week, public comment at the City Council meeting was 2-to-1 against it, according to every account I have heard.

Additionally, a laundry list of human-rights and civil-liberties organizations had come out against the bill, which likely is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech.

Aggressive panhandling is already a criminal offense in Seattle. This bill would only add a civil penalty on top of that, which means cops have to meet a far lower burden of proof and suspects do not have the right to an attorney.

Where does that leave that aggressive panhandler? I think it is safe to assume most do not have an extra $50 lying around to cover the fine. If anything, this encourages even more aggressive panhandling.

Let’s try to solve homelessness instead of criminalizing it.

— Garrett McCulloch, Seattle