HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-76-1080•
JOtePhR Grassie
City Manager
arlana, Watkins
Chief of Police
iNitt14,tWFIcE MVAORANOUM
tiOv la 10: 04
mms
DAT
11 November 1976 riLF
Licensing of Blind Beggars
With Musical InstruMehts.
With regard to the proposal to permit licensing of blind
beggars with musical instruments, the Police Departmettls
position is as follows:
Such a proposal, in order to comply with
constitutional mandates of equal protection,
would requim, equc)1 ipplicatin to al]
classes of persons with handicaps, leading
to the obvious result of greatly increased
begging on the 3tvects of fliami.
• There exist organizations in the area and
in the state, as clearly appears from
Mr. Wedeeer's letter, ,1 copy of which is
attached, capable of assisting blind
persons in securing other means of liveli-
hood. i4
• Experience with persons working or operating
businesses in the downtown area, were begging
would must likely occur, indicates great
opposition to su(-1-1 wou10 in
p ,)1 (:1,( compidiuls
resulting in an increased expenditure of
police time.
herefore, based on the above, such an ordinance does no
,appear appropriate in the public interest.
===
1'
RALPH b. TURU C' 7N
m.ikusso.: v
Nover er 3, 197
OFFICE OP BIJUVD SERVICES
Department of Education
State of Florida
1309 Winewood Blvd,
Tallahassee, 1'lorida 32101
Tel. (904) 483-1310
The Honorable Maurice ?err t
Mayor of the City of Miami.
City }}tall
Miami, Florida
bear Mr. Mayor:
S1110 H. WtOEWER
th4EttoR
It is my understanding that the Miami City Commissioners will in
the very near future consider passage of an ordinance which would
permit the licensing of blind beggars accompanied with musical
instrument en the streets of Miami. For many years the local state
and federal governments have in cooperation with United Way and
charitable organizc:,t.iomt provide:1 foci 1 i.t _i es and planned niumerous
opportunities for blind persons to obtain suitable training and
employment.
Therefore, there is no need for blind persons to beg for a living.
Any blind person who finds it necessary to beg should be referred
to the Miami Office of the Office of Blind Services. The address
and telephone number follow:
Office of Blind Services
Miami District Office
1330 Coral Way, Suite 305
Miami, Florida 33145
Tel: 325-2840
Blind or vi sua:f 1 ti .i ti i r:<�„t,,-:r7 rfitiht, a" ) )c re erne
Lighthouse, for tilt' Blind at the foi J.owi:tig addz.c' s
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
601 Southwest Eighth Avenue
Miami, Florida 33130
Tel: 856-2288
Blind persons can use our toll free Wats line to call our Tallahassee
office #1-800-342-1828 so that we can advise them of our state federal
program and of benefits and services available from our state agency.
The Honorable Maurice ?err:e
Mayor of the City of Miami
Pace 2
NoVer er 3, 1976
Attaca.ed is a ResolUtiOh passed by the AVViaory Council of the
Office of mind Services in opposition to this matter.
Cordially,
OFFICE ICE OF I3LICTu SERVICES
+JW7.
Donald H. Wedeeer
Director.
cc: City of Miami commissioners
Advisory Council, Office of nlind Services
of the Department of tducaitioh
OFFICE )F� BLIND SERVES
1)eparttn?nt of Education
State of Florida
F:At PH D. to LIN6to'
rtt�i�tiSSiCf�E�
t Mdvito.ry Cbunoil of the Office of tiit=td Sertliees of the
epart;ent of Education, in session, Saturday, October 50, 1976
uha iimously adoptc1 the following ttc:solution
WHEREAS blind persons throughout: Florida and the United
States are employed in jobs in all economic levels;and
WHEREAS blind citizens of Florida have available rehabilitation
services which enables them to obtain training and education toward
successful vocational goals; and
WHEREAS the dignity and image of blind persons has caused the
general public and employers to recognize the worth of blind and
visually handicapped employees; and
WHEREAS the image of the blind beggar is rapidly and rightfully
disappearing;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Miami Mayor
1
and Commissioners reject any ordinance which would permit the
begging of blind persons on the t rx' 'ts of Niomi withor without
mm
musical accompaniment. k
Y COUNCIL OFFICE OF BLIND SERVICE:;_
} dZ. -1/;444Y
vcte
Rosh 66
.``Cl_frM j z
`•:tP
&'ar22 1
Riehatd 1tegnolds
cbloo a hotel
tobm 111
229 N.E. 2nd Avenue
Miami) Florida 33132
Dear Mr. Reynolds:
, I have placed a call to the City :�tanagcr+s
offir.:e and spolen witt, Mr. Andrew Crouch in reference to
your appearance' before the City Commission seeking an or-
dinance which would permit: all itin9r&'::t T1ll:•l:.ic?1 to Iv 1 roam
on City streets. It was suggested by ':r. Crouch that per-
haps this ratter should be investigated with you by the
City :'.arr.ger's Office prior to a forral Commission appear-
ance. Cor_secuently I an forwarding copy of this letter to the
Manager with yoi)nar!e and address and telephone number,
in order that he may arrange an appointment with you.
Delores Kory
Assistant to Vice -Mayo
Rose Cordon