Haverhill cracking down on soliciting for money in the street

HAVERHILL, Mass. — The city of Haverhill is cracking down on groups fundraising on public streets, and the move could have a big impact on local charities.

"We're not collecting money to play baseball or something like that. These are veterans, we've been trained. It disappoints me, that's all,” said Russell Chaput.

Chaput proudly served our country during the Korean War, but now his veterans group may not be allowed to ask for donations, like he's been doing every year since 1975, on the streets of Haverhill.

Haverhill City Council recently voted to ban all groups from collecting donations in the street, like veterans’ groups, out of safety concerns.

"With an aging population of our veterans, it's very hard for these gentlemen to get out in the street and get back safely in between light cycles,” said Mike McGonagle.

The ban could also impact Haverhill firefighters and their annual Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association "Fill the Boot" campaign.

"I think they worry needlessly about something they don't have to be worrying about.  I'm going die anyway, right?  So if I'm dying for a good cause, what the hell,” said Chaput.

The firefighters have been collecting donations on the street for more than 40 years, and last year collected $13,000.

"I would hope they council reconsiders and thinks about the people we help instead of the two or three days it ties up traffic over the year,” said Tim Carroll, a Haverhill firefighter.

The city council voted 7-2 to pass the ban, but the mayor vetoed it.

The mayor has now proposed to allow firefighters -- and only firefighters -- to collect donations Labor Day weekend.

The next step is the councilors will now vote on the proposal, which is scheduled for May 9.

Cox Media Group