Early evening about two weeks ago, I was stopped at this light with a friend. One of these panhandlers came right up to the driver’s side window, knocked on it, held up his sign, and motioned for my friend to roll down his window. I’ve had the same panhandler step deliberately into my path while walking. Enough is enough.

I've had simillar experiences with aggressive behavior at that corner. Have also observed that there is a little group of them who switch off and on - sometimes women - sometimes men. It really is getting out of hand.

They also back up traffic in rush hour, this morning only three cars were able to make it through the light because a car stopped while the light was green to give them money, meanwhile traffic was backed up down to the Plaza underpass

Is there really no law against panhandling? Or is it, like many other City laws (::sigh::) just not being enforced? This problem has never been worse than under Mayor Sheehan's regime...in addition to harassment, they cause terrible traffic hazards at: Everett Rd. and I-90 (sometimes up to 3 at once); Crossgates Common and Washington Ave. Extension; Manning Blvd. and New Scotland Ave., to name a few. These people need help, so the City should bring them to the Mission and arrest them if they return. In addition, "No Solicitation" signs should be posted at the hot spots, instead of looking the other way day after day, month after month.

Contrary to the suggestion, the City is not ignoring any law because panhandling is protected speech as per the Supreme Court of the United States.

Aggressive panhandling (preventing someone from moving, being in traffic, etc.) is illegal. If you experience or witness aggressive panhandling, please call APD immediately at 911 or 518-438-4000.

Additionally, signs like the one included here have already been posted at several locations where panhandling is frequently reported, including the ramps to I-787 and near Everett Road.

David, Mayor's Office assigned this issue to Albany Police Department Administrator

.

The panhandling at the corners previously stated has been allowed to go on for months and months. While the First Amendment may protect someone who holds up a sign asking for money, it is the City's legal responsibility to protect its citizens. Allowing people to create a traffic hazard is not protecting its citizens and traffic hazards are not protected under the First Amendment...that is a total cop out. I bet everyone in Mayor Sheehans office has driven up the I-90/Everett Road ramp and has had to screech to a halt because the car ahead is handling to the panhandler right at the freaking six lanes of intersection. Your sign needs to be gigantic and say "anyone creating or contributing to a traffic slowdown or traffic hazard related to panhandling will be ticketed and prosecuted". How about a billboard on both sides of Exit 6 of I-90 with this. And I would like to know the exact location of these signs because I certainly have not seen them... and how many months after all this has been going on were they installed, anyway? And do you really think it is fair to tell residents to call the Albany Police Department while driving to try to take care of the issue because the City won't do its job? Ridiculous.

Thank you for using this application to report an issue in the City of Albany. Please know that the report was received by this department and your issue has now been resolved.