It isn’t just cops or firefighters who collect in the streets. Around here, I frequently see people collecting for charities, Little League, American Legion, and Knights of Columbus. The homeless are out there too. I used to see a guy in a wheelchair along Diversey Avenue in Chicago. It is dangerous for anyone, and annoying to drivers, and I don’t see how it is allowed.
Agreed, around my way it's only police/firefighters as far as I've seen.