Even though advocates for the homeless told the Bremerton City Council this week that they intend to bring in the ACLU regarding the city’s recent ban on panhandling, City Council President Greg Wheeler said he doesn’t think the issue will be reconsidered.

“Unless I see that a majority of the council wants to switch their votes on the ban, I don’t see this being on any upcoming agenda,” Wheeler said following the meeting. “Unless there is something that we missed, and I can be convinced of that, I don’t see this coming up again for another vote.”

The council recently banned panhandling in specific locations throughout the city including near bank ATMs, bus stops and along major streets. That was done, according to Wheeler and other council members, for safety purposes.

“As you know, I voted against the ban,” Wheeler said. “But I clearly can see where it isn’t safe to have people walking out in traffic asking for money.”

The ordinance made it unlawful to panhandle within 25 feet of an ATM or bus stop and created no-panhandling zones on many of Bremerton’s busiest traffic ways, including on Sixth, 11th and Burwell streets, Charleston Boulevard, Sheridan Road, Kitsap, Wheaton and Sylvan ways and Naval and Washington avenues.

At last week’s council meeting, several people spoke out saying that the ban limits free speech and attacks the poor.

“We consider this your war on the poor,” said Tahlure Niemy. “This ban restricts free speech and it take police away from more important duties. We ask that you overturn (the ban) immediately.”

Niemy also promised the council that he would be back at its next meeting on Dec. 3 and hopes to bring representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Another advocate for the poor, Joseph Rogers, asked the council to reconsider its actions.

“Where is your compassion for the poor?” he asked. “Asking for money should not be a crime. It may be an eyesore but it is not a crime.”

Bremerton resident Jane Rebelowski also asked the council to look again at the matter.

“I appreciate what the police are trying to do, but running out of gas on the way to Port Townsend shouldn’t get you another fine that you probably can’t pay.”

While council members didn’t respond during the comment portion of the meeting, they did weigh in at the end of the meeting.

“I stand behind our action on panhandling,” said Mike Sullivan. “I still support the ordinance.”

Council member Leslie Daugs agreed.

“What we did was for the safety of everyone,” she said. “I’m glad we moved forward with it.”

Wheeler said he expects advocates to continue to come to council meetings and speak up on the issue.

“But until I hear that the council thinks we missed something the first time around, and that they want to look at it again, we won’t. And I don’t think that is what their intent is right now.”