PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) —  The Portland City Council is considering an ordinance that would make it illegal for panhandlers to stand in medians.

There are several intersections in Portland where people typically stand with signs asking passing drivers for money. City councilor Ed Suslovic proposed an ordinance that would keep those people off of medians, because he says police are concerned about their safety. The panhandlers would still be allowed to ask for money on the sidewalks. But homeless advocate Steve Hustin says this is really just an attempt from the city to hide the homeless population.