October 23rd, 2019 by WCBC Radio
With a growing population of vagrants and panhandlers in the downtown area- the Cumberland Mayor and City Council held a special work session Tuesday to listen and to consider possible solutions. The nearly 90 minute session was attended by a large crowd of business and property owners, community leaders and citizens voicing concern…
Captain Chuck Ternent with the Cumberland Police Department opened the meeting by reminding those in attendance that panhandling is not illegal and officers cannot arrest any individual because of how they are dressed…
The meeting essentially turned into a brain storming session with a number of suggestions discussed including upgrading and expanding video surveillance; banning smoking and an increased law enforcement presense on the mall. Mayor Ray Morriss said at this point there are no bad ideas as the city is simply looking for workable solutions to a growing problem…
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October 23, 2019 at 9:00 am, mac said:
Our local PR firm, McClarran and Williams have a golden opportunity to put a positive spin on this situation.
Mountain Maryland has, in the past, always promoted this area as rural, scenic, with hometown friendliness.
Now our paid PR people can add a little something when advertising in the large metro areas like Baltimore, DC, and Northern Virginia about how at home visitors will feel when they are accosted downtown by bums, addicts, and winos. It’s a little bit of home out in the boondocks.
October 23, 2019 at 9:11 am, Carol said:
What about a Nuisance Law..check the books
That protects citizens, tourist and etc from obnoxious and annoying bums and undesirable’s from panhandling. Recently my son was approached for prostitution.
Cumberland talks about tourists. Relatives from New England recently visited and was shocked at Cumberland. And all we hear is Tourism. Right People come and never return.
Look at the Blue bridge. Groups hanging over on the fence….No one stops them. Good publicity for tourism.
October 23, 2019 at 10:35 am, LRH said:
Why do we act if this an unique situation. There re plenty of other towns and cities who have found ways to legally address both vagrant issue and how to allow open containers when and where it is appropriate. How about one of our famous “studies” of best practices across the country and develop the political will to try and implement one. We have to no further than Winchester for starters.
October 25, 2019 at 5:59 am, Mark said:
Kill two birds with one stone by offering ‘safari’ type tours to the tourists! They could ride sight-seeing buses through the mall and observe the local winos/Ho’s, junkies, etc. in their natural habitat!! Tour guide: ” If you look to your left ladies & gentlemen, you’ll see the common two-footed white trash wino and over on the right we have the…..LMAO.
October 25, 2019 at 6:36 am, mac said:
> Finally, a good reason for opening Baltimore St. to one way traffic!