Example Complaint Letter
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Date]
To: Chief of Police, [City Police Department] [City Council Representative’s Name] [City Council Office Address]
Subject: Failure to Enforce Panhandling Ordinances and Livability Standards
Dear Chief [Name] and Councilmember [Name],
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding repeated failures of the police department to respond to violations of city ordinances governing panhandling and public safety.
On [date] at [location], I reported panhandlers engaging in conduct that is clearly prohibited under city law, including:
- Standing in the street and obstructing traffic.Aggressive solicitation near ATMs and business entrances.Harassing customers outside storefronts.Leaving trash and drug paraphernalia in public spaces.
This lack of enforcement undermines public safety, violates the city’s own ordinances, and creates livability issues for working families and businesses.
City ordinances in (name your city) explicitly prohibit panhandling in roadways, near ATMs, at transit stops, and in front of businesses. Aggressive conduct such as blocking, threatening, or harassing passersby is illegal. Yet these violations continue unchecked.
I respectfully demand:
- A written explanation for why no response was provided to my complaint.Assurance that future violations will be addressed promptly.Accountability measures to ensure ordinances are enforced consistently.
If the police department continues to fail in its duty, I will escalate this matter further through additional complaints, public testimony at council meetings, and community petitions demanding accountability.
Sincerely, [Your Name]