ARLINGTON — The city is working with the American Civil Liberties Union to revise its recently adopted laws to deal with homeless issues.

“The ACLU’s main concern with our ordinance seems to be the anti-solicitation portion, which they believe is too broad and infringes on freedom of speech,” city administrator Paul Ellis said.

Ellis explained that city attorney Steve Peiffle and his staff have sent revised drafts to the ACLU to narrow the scope of the law’s language.

“Of course, we don’t want to limit people’s free speech or other Constitutional rights, but the city has a duty to protect the public from an unsafe environment,” Ellis said.

Ellis pointed to the tangible danger of panhandlers causing traffic flow problems at busy intersections.

“We’re confident that the city and the ACLU can come to a mutual understanding,” Ellis said.

Although a number of other cities throughout Snohomish County have passed their own anti-solicitation laws, Ellis hasn’t heard whether any of them have been contacted by the ACLU.

“I can’t imagine it’s just Arlington, though,” Ellis said.