AKRON, Ohio -- A new ordinance being proposed in Akron would make it more difficult for people to panhandle on the city's streets.

City and business leaders are lining up behind the proposal, but not everyone thinks it's a good idea, reported NewsChannel5's Brad Harvey.

The new law would curtail panhandling close to ATMs and several other locations around downtown, but it would also require panhandlers to register with the city and wear badges.

Akron has spent more than $1 billion to bring back its downtown area, but the city said it believes a few panhandlers are making it hard for people to enjoy what downtown has to offer.

Resident Michael Ellitt admitted there is a problem, but said he tries to help a particular panhandler.

"I come downtown looking for him with a pocket full of change," said Ellitt.

But the city said it is hoping people won't do that. At a Monday afternoon committee meeting, council members heard from supporters of the new registration law, including stories from police about panhandlers.

"She opened her purse to offer the gentleman a dollar. At that time, he attempted to take her purse and dragged the victim down the street," said Capt. Sylvia Trundle.

Business owner Gordon Stojkoski said, "I've seen situations where a couple with a couple of little kids, and these panhandlers will follow them from the stadium all the way to their cars until they get anything they can get out of them."

Even organizations that help the homeless said handouts keep people with dependencies from getting the help they need.

"A well-intentioned individual can be enabling someone with drug and alcohol abuse," said the Rev. Ben Walker of Haven of Rest Ministries.

There is opposition to the proposal. The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless said it sees it almost as a form of branding, NewsChannel5 reported.

"It is a very offensive piece of legislation to put a scarlet letter on people," said Brian Davis.

There are several similar laws already in place in other Ohio cities, including Dayton and Cincinnati. The Cincinnati ordinance is currently being challenged in court.

Opponents to the proposal said that panhandling is constitutionally protected as a form of free speech, Harvey reported.