FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – District 6 Representative Garry Bredefeld and Mayor Lee Brand are trying again to dissuade panhandling in Fresno.
Just weeks ago, the “Help Us Help Fresno” initiative failed in Fresno City Council by a vote of 3 to 3, District 3’s Miguel Arias, who was the sponsor of the initiative, voted against it.
If the initiative had passed it would have seen signs placed at intersections encouraging charitable donations instead of giving to those standing there.
“At the end of the day, signs are not going to resolve panhandling or eliminate it in the city of Fresno,” said District 3’s Miguel Arias.
Now District 6 Councilman Bredefeld, speaking Monday on Ray Appleton’s show, said he and Mayor Lee Brand will hold a press conference on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Fresno City Hall, to rally Fresno businesses to put the signs out in front of their location.
“Our press conference is about rallying the businesses now, putting these signs out on their private property because many of them are inundated with these panhandling problems,” said Councilman Bredefeld. “So, the Mayor and I are rallying businesses to get these signs, to mitigate the problem because it is a significant problem in our community.”
Bredefeld says all District 2 candidates are supporting the “Help Us Help Fresno” signs effort, which directs people to give to charitable organizations to help the truly homeless, and the addicted, and fight back against the panhandlers that are scammers.
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
