The summer season is here, which means local businesses can expect an influx of tourists – both good and bad. Panhandlers can be a problem in summer months for local businesses, but now business people have new tools to help better handle problem behaviors. 

The City of San Luis Obispo, in partnership with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association, is distributing a Reference Guide to Laws Regarding Aggressive Panhandling.

This pamphlet gives businesses a better understanding of applicable laws enforced by the San Luis Obispo Police Department, including possession of a shopping cart, prohibition of aggressive soliciting and other laws.

Also included in the guide is a list of things business people can do about panhandling and related problems, including informing patrons of alternative options to giving to panhandlers like making contributions to local services instead.

SLOPD has also placed two more officers daily in the downtown area this summer, in addition to the one full-time officer already patrolling this area. The added police officers seem to be making an impact in downtown as complaints have decreased already.

To view a PDF copy of the brochure, click here. To pick up a copy today, stop by the San Luis Obispo Visitors Center at 1039 Chorro St.