The Atlanta City Council's public safety committee is scheduled to consider a crackdown on aggressive panhandling next week. Legislation introduced by Councilman Michael Julian Bond would provide for six months of jail time after their third arrest for panhandling. The legislation is geared towards Atlanta's tourism, convention and trade show industries, which bring an estimated 37 million people and $11.4 billion to the region every year.Bond told Channel 2 Action News that harsher punishment would keep panhandlers from harassing and threatening people on the streets. Bond said one individual was arrested more than 70 times for aggressive panhandling. Atlanta police told Channel 2 Action News that they have arrested 542 people for panhandling in the past year.
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