The Menifee City Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2017-210 during the May 17th City Council Meeting, prohibiting certain forms of solicitation within the City of Menifee. Enforcement of the newly adopted Ordinance will be began June 18, 2017.
The forms of solicitation prohibited in the Ordinance include: any “aggressive” solicitation, solicitations at financial institutions or near ATMs, parking lots and parking structures, public transportation vehicles and stops, gasoline stations and fuel pumps, driveways accessing shopping centers, retail and business establishments, medians and parkways, dining establishments, and parks and trails. Penalties for violation of the Ordinance range from a misdemeanor to an administrative citation.
With the adoption of the Ordinance, the City of Menifee has launched a “Responsible Compassion” campaign to notify residents of responsible and meaningful substitutions to enabling solicitors. The campaign will include door hangers distributed to residents with a “do’s and don’ts” guide of how to let your generosity be a part of the solution. A few of the highlights of the “do’s and don’ts” include:
Do answer requests with a firm no,
Do make donations to organizations helping homeless or needy,
Don’t encourage aggressive panhandling by giving money, food, etc., and
Don’t allow anyone to camp or loiter on your property
“Responsible Compassion is an opportunity for residents to support the less fortunate in a safe and impactful manner. We encourage residents and businesses to become a part of the solution to the City’s homeless challenge, by joining the City’s Homeless Task Force,” said Robert Lennox, Menifee’s Community Services Director.
The City of Menifee encourages residents and businesses to join the Menifee Homeless Task Force. The Menifee Homeless Task Force meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 8:30 am at the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center located at 29995 Evans Road, Menifee 92586. For more information please contact the Community Services Department Office at (951) 723-3880, or please visit www.cityofmenifee.us.
