Councilman wants city to crack down on panhandlers

JACKSON — Jackson City Councilman Quentin Whitwell wants to make it more costly to panhandle in downtown Jackson by increasing fines and possible jail sentences for repeat offenses.

Whitwell tells The Clarion-Ledger residents have complained more and more lately of being accosted when they go downtown.

While acknowledging the ordinance won’t solve the problem on its own, Whitwell said his goal in proposing these changes is to bring the law to the public’s attention.

The Intergovernmental Committee has passed his changes, sending the ordinance to the full council. Whitwell’s amendments would tack on a $500 fine and a possible 30-day jail sentence for a second violation of the law, in addition to the 30 days of community service the law calls for now.