I will have to commend them for at least starting the process of trying to control the issue. While these signs are good, especially since they suggest to give to charity, I think citing an ordinance and the fine amount for handing money out the window in traffic would also be a good addition. There also should be more enforcement, which I think there has been. I have noticed fewer of them doing it in my neighborhood, but that may mean they just moved. I do still see a lot of the activity downtown and the block around the Dudley House which is a complete disaster with trash.
So Thumbs up to Police Chief Thum, but don’t stop now, there is so much more you can do.
A shortage of workers, but not a shortage of panhandlers. How is tipping a fast-food worker for handing you your food any different from handing money to a panhandler? It it because corporate America indirectly has its hand out with the former? What about some TIF signs like this? Reagan gave us the modern panhandler. He didn’t like the Berlin Wall, but claimed that homelessness was a choice. Without walls, I guess. Painting rust never works. Eliminating it does. Can you eliminate panhandling this way, however, or are you just hiding from the truth with a wall of paint disguised as a informative sign?
The 8th Street area west from downtown is the fallout from what is supposed to be a thriving city. Lunch at ‘The Banquet’ is a line around the block. There’s gonna be street people. The city is busy giving TIF’s and doesn’t have time for social programs. Private help is handling this as best they can. I’ve not seen that many panhandlers but have seen plenty of homeless. Sell our businesses to China but bring back rice to feed our people.