There's a lot happening in Fairlawn and Bath at any one time, but there are three topics that people buzzed about most this year: panhandling, Rothrock Road and crime.

In this three-part series, we'll break down these three topics, starting first with panhandling. Check back tomorrow for a recap about Rothrock Road.

Panhandling

The issue of panhandlers in Fairlawn first came up at a February city council meeting. Mayor William Roth said residents had approached him with concerns about feeling uncomfortable sitting in their cars at intersections. Others said the panhandlers were aggressive.

To fix the problem, Roth and city council members created an ordinance to regulate panhandlers.  The ordinance requires panhandlers to register with the city and it stipulates where they cannot stand to beg. 

Several readers asked the mayor and council to have mercy for the panhandlers and several of you even said you had donated to their cause. However, the majority of you said you have not and will not donate because you believe they're part of a scam ring or they'll use the money for drugs and alcohol.

Fairlawn-Bath Patch talked to three panhandlers, one of whom admitted that pandhandling was his job. Several readers were angry after reading about one panhandler in Bath Township who threw away a box of donated food.

After the legislation passed, a few panhandlers registered to beg in Fairlawn, but for the most part moved into Bath Township.

Read more panhandling stories here.