Story Archive

Charity Case

Exiting a highway in Cleveland, Ohio, John Davis encountered a man sitting in a wheelchair with a sign seeking help. Davis has a paralyzed brother and believes in helping “the less fortunate.” But when he reached out of the car window with some cash, a dollar bill he was trying to hand over briefly touched the ground before the intended recipient picked it up. Davis was pulled over — for littering. “Throw paper out window,” the cop wrote on the ticket, “(money to panhandler).” Davis said he’d fight the case in court; if he loses, it could cost him more than $500. It has already cost him his inclination to provide charity: “I’d like to do it again,” he said, “but I’m petrified I’m going to get a ticket.” (AC/WJW Cleveland) ...$500 fine for littering. $1, not so fine.