Panhandling Arrests Double After Downtown Crackdown

INDIANAPOLIS -- Panhandling arrests have nearly doubled downtown since the city announced a crackdown on aggressive begging.

So far this year, 60 people have been arrested, mostly those who are seen approaching downtown visitors, 6News' Rick Hightower reported,

"What we are looking for are those who are going after citizens who are downtown visiting in an aggressive manner," said Indianapolis police Sgt. Paul Thompson. "They stand in front of those people, block their way down the sidewalk, walk up to cars, stop cars or they're loitering around areas such as an ATM machine."

One homeless panhandler named Robert told Hightower Thursday the police don't bother him as long as he isn't aggressive and doesn't congregate with other panhandlers.

In May, the city unveiled several secured lock boxes in which residents can make donations that go directly to agencies that help the homeless.