SANTA CRUZ — New meters to collect money for panhandlers will soon go up in downtown Santa Cruz.
The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to install the meters. The goal is to raise money for bus fare, state identifications and other services for transients while discouraging panhandling.
The meters are expected to collect about $1,700 a year. City officials say the services it’s used to purchase will be distributed by a county social worker.
Up to 8 red meters from the 1950s are expected to go up within the next few months on highly visible corners along Pacific Avenue.
City officials say the cost of the installation will be covered by private donations.
Other U.S. cities, including Cleveland, Atlanta and Denver, have also put up meters to collect donations for panhandlers in recent years.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.