Live audio: Missoula cops cite beggar

An unidentified homeless man was cited for flying a sign (soliciting from a road) at Eastgate Shopping Center this afternoon, Edward Campbell eyewitness news reported today.

The two officers involved in the sting were riding motorcycles. As the weather has transitioned from a wet Spring into a nice Summer, the Missoula city council has approved a beat cop for downtown, and has mobilized bicycle and motorcycle patrols.

Citations and arrests are frequent among the needy population. Individuals closely associated with the homeless community have speculated that the Missoula city council intends to eleminate begging in Missoula either by driving beggars from town, jailing them, or moving them onward to a mental institution, diability, and Section 8 housing.

It does seem clear that the intention of the authorities is to simply eliminate the homeless community, however that goal may be achieved by them.

EHC / EHC
--