ARLINGTON — The city’s measures to deal with the problems of homelessness and aggressive panhandling have drawn fire from a national civil rights group.

On Feb. 9, city attorney Steve Peiffle presented a revised draft of the city’s law regarding solicitation and unlawful camping. The city had received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, suggesting the changes. After Peiffle had sent the ACLU a revised draft in line with their suggestions, the ACLU sent another reply, which he and city staff haven’t reviewed yet.

When council member Debora Nelson asked for the police perspective on the ACLU’s suggestions, Deputy Police Chief Jonathan Ventura said there needs to be “more conversations.”

“Is the ACLU going after everyone with similar ordinances?” council member Jan Schuette asked.

Peiffle replied: “I don’t know about anyone other than us, but I have to assume this is a high priority for them.”

Even as a self-described supporter of free speech, Schuette admitted she was “upset” by the ACLU’s suggested revisions to a law that she characterized as effective and popular with citizens.

“I think the intent of what we were trying to do with it is still there,” Mayor Barbara Tolbert said, “as long as we focus on highlighting public safety, because we need those tools in our box.”

Schuette asked Peiffle if the Association of Washington Cities had offered any guidance on this matter, but Peiffle was not aware of any.

“Ordinances like these tend to vary so widely between cities anyway,” Peiffle said.