However, I see no problem with Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker's proposed ordinance to ban aggressive solicitation ("SLC advocates say panhandling crackdown already under way," Tribune , Feb. 18). I work, play, shop and live downtown. As a frequent pedestrian, I'm tired of physical intimidation and harassment. I don't want to be approached at night, near an ATM or at my own front door. As a driver, I don't want weirdos reaching in my car window when I'm at a stoplight or hovering outside when I park. As a woman, I'm sick of leering men blocking my path on the sidewalk and taking me hostage with 10-minute sob stories about car trouble.
Salt Lake City isn't populous enough, or cosmopolitan enough, to justify the threat level on our streets. Becker and the Downtown Alliance are only trying to protect what little business has survived the necrotizing blight of the past decade. I don't blame them one bit.
Erin Saunders
Salt Lake City
The new vision for Salt Lake City encompasses ideas large and small, bold and restrained - for shaping downtown's future. 