Popular Downtown “Panhandler” to Get Full Hearing

The Chattanooga man who’s described as an “agressive panhandler” got his first appearance before a judge this morning.
Mendon John Price drew a crowd of supporters as he faced a sessions court judge for his January 21st arrest.
Price is a familiar, and likable fixture, on downtown streets—but a person with a lengthy arrest record.

The Convention Bureau tries to stop panhandling of any kind downtown…but President Bob Doak denies that 49 year old Mendon John Price is a target of his organization.
Supporters, like Mercy Junction, say police are “criminalizing poverty.”
They filled most of the seats as the wheelchair-bound man went before sessions court Judge Gary Starnes.
Price was arrested January 21st outside the Tivoli and charged with a new Tennessee state law enacted last year.
The new rule—don’t touch anyone.

NEAL PINKSTON, HAM. CO. DISTRICT ATTORNEY GENERAL “..or if they try to obstruct their way as they are trying to leave …and not give a donation of money… the law was passed to label that as “agressive panhandling.”

MENDON JOHN PRICE, FACING CHARGES “Agressive..if a person say no and continue to ask..that’s aggressive. Cursing and ..if you’re cursing someone and following them around ..that’s aggressive. But if you’re sitting there and …and sometimes..we have nothing for you today…good to see you..that’s no problem.”

SHEILA ST. ALBIN, PRICE SUPPORTER “He never bothers anybody. He plays his harmonica, he’s off the sidewalk, he’s gentle ..he’s not agressive.”

Sheila St. Albin and her husband were there at the theater when Price was arrested.

SHEILA ST. ALBIN ” I went to look for him at the place where he usually is. And I saw he was on the sidewalk with the policeman …with the lights going and I just couldn’t believe it.”

Price says the police are targeting him.

MENDON PRICE “…soon as I came out the house..out of my apartment down in Chattanooga “Mr. Price, we’ve had several calls on you today..impossible! ..I’ve not been outside my apartment.”

SHEILA ST. ALBIN ” Putting somebody like Mendon in jail is..uh, its un speakable…it’s criminalizing poverty.”

But Price has had quite a few run-ins with the law.
He’s been arrested 61 times since 1996—a half dozen of them felonies like aggravated robbery and and drug possession.

Mendon John Price will get to tell his story next Thursday morning before Judge Lila Statom.
His numerous fans and supporters will likely be there also.