MERCER COUNTY Sharpsville targets soliciting

Groups wanting to solicit donations in the street need their own insurance.
SHARPSVILLE, Pa. -- Young people -- their safety and behavior -- have the attention of Sharpsville Borough Council.
The issue of young people soliciting in the streets for funds for various groups, as well as children under the age of 16 out roaming the streets at night, prompted council to take some corrective actions Monday.
On the soliciting issue, Borough Manager Michael Wilson said the borough's insurance carrier has informed Sharpsville that it is not protected from liability should someone be injured after being given permission to stand in the street collecting donations.
That means a ban on such activity, unless the soliciting group can provide insurance that covers both its members and the borough, officials said.
Voted against it
Council voted 6-1, with Tom Lally opposed to require the umbrella insurance protection.
Lally said he flatly opposes anyone's being out in the street collecting money, saying it is too dangerous.
Council members Gus Grandy, Guy Moderelli, Luann Anglin, Alex Kovach, Bob Piccirilli and Jack Cardwell voted for the measure.
Mayor Kenneth Robertson said the borough has never had a mishap, and youth organizations collecting money at Walnut and Main streets have found it to be lucrative. Three groups recently raised $1,700, $1,100 and $900, respectively, there on separate days, he said.
Cardwell brought up the issue of young children below age 16 who roam the streets and hang out in the high school parking lot into the late hours.
The curfew should be changed from 11 to 10 p.m. for people under 16, he said.
Council voted to refer the issue to its Public Safety Committee for a recommendation.