BATON ROUGE, La. - A proposal aiming to criminalize the act of giving money to homeless individuals from vehicles has advanced halfway through the legislative process with minimal resistance. Spearheaded by Rep. Dixon McMakin (R-Baton Rouge), the measure has garnered support under the banner of enhancing road safety.
"It’s illegal for the person to be out there. Now, what we’re doing is we’re going to say the person offering that currency to them, we’re gonna hold them accountable as well," explained McMakin, the bill's author.
He contends that while the gesture may originate from goodwill, the practice poses risks to both motorists and panhandlers, exacerbating traffic congestion.
"Well, number one it could cut down on some of the congestion at an intersection, and number two the person who is giving the money, let’s try to keep them safe and let the homeless people go through the proper channels of organizations here in the Baton Rouge area," remarked Jesse Guillory, a local resident.
Concerns over safety echo among city dwellers. Sarah Wylie expressed unease about potential hazards for both parties involved in impromptu roadside transactions.
McMakin rebuts accusations of callousness, asserting that the motivation behind the bill stems from a desire to steer individuals toward established support systems.
"I’ll flip it on them and say I’m more concerned. I want less people out on the interstate highway systems, I want people not to be out there do that. I want them to go seek the proper help and that’s where the idea comes from," McMakin elucidated.
Not all residents are in favor of the proposed legislation. Dadreal Simmons argues that such interactions often occur without incident and believes the bill is redundant.
Enforcement mechanisms for the proposed law remain nebulous, with McMakin suggesting standard procedures while advocating for voluntary compliance.
Despite efforts to gauge perspectives from homeless communities, reluctance to engage with media persisted. Observations near McMakin’s district revealed encampments adjacent to key intersections, including College Drive. Recent municipal expenditures on barricades beneath the Siegen overpass underscore ongoing challenges with homeless encroachments and substance abuse.
BRPD declined to comment on enforcement strategies pending the bill’s formal enactment.