Last week, I profiled “Dallas,” one of our local bums/scam artists who is one of the main people targeted by the new aggressive panhandling and single beer ordinances. Earlier this week I reported that he got arrested for robbery. Last night I got more details.
“Dallas” was panhandling in one of his favorite spots, Beale Street. The panhandlers like the Beale Historic District because it’s outside the patrol area of the Downtown safety patrol, and because there’s heavy foot traffic and a lot of tourists. Apparently Dallas wasn’t having a profitable day panhandling, and decided to resort to other tactics. He begged a couple for money, then followed them down the street and attempted to rob them.
What “Dallas” didn’t know is that he was being watched. MPD has cameras set up all over Beale, which they monitor from a command center. They already knew that Dallas had a long criminal history, and were keeping their eye on him long before he approached that couple. When he attempted to rob them, the cops rolled right up on him and caught him in the act. Fantastic job, MPD! The police have really been proactive taking measures to prevent crimes Downtown, and this is one of the many instances in which it paid off.
Of course, the reason Dallas was on Beale in the first place was to panhandle. If the ordinance passes on April 13, Beale will be part of the panhandling-free zone. So, not only will the ordinance prevent panhandling, but other, more serious crimes as well.
Click here to read more about this proposed ordinance, to sign a petition in support, and to learn how you can contact City Council members and ask them to pass it.