Des Moines councilperson Indira Sheumaker pays panhandling fine

A $95 ticket issued to someone panhandling in Des Moines was paid by donations raised by Councilperson Indira Sheumaker, she tweeted Sunday.

• At least four people donated via Venmo, online records show.

State of play: Sheumaker's announcement follows a meeting last week in which multiple DSM business owners asked for help in dealing with problems associated with people experiencing homelessness.

• The ticket was issued near the intersection of 30th Street and Hickman Road under an ordinance intended to protect pedestrian safety, DSM Police Sgt. Paul Parizek told Axios Monday.
• Axios requested a copy of the citation but details about the incident have not been made available.

Of note: Sheumaker didn't say how much money was collected but said the goal was exceeded.

• Additional proceeds will be transferred to cash and handed out to others asking for help, she wrote.