Panhandling:
Meeting Notes by Becky Hoover
Imagine. Downtown Akron 2025
Planning for Operations and Infrastructure
Managing Panhandling
September 15, 2005
Meeting Summary
I. Review of proposed ordinance
II. Is the ordinance the right thing to do?
A. Harm done by panhandling is real:
- DAP questionnaire reflects that panhandling is a major issue for downtown businesses.
- Estimated that thirty "regular" panhandlers are working the Main Street area.
- Restaurants are closing at lunchtime.
- The Radisson found it necessary to employ a private security force for focused
enforcement.
B. Consequences should exist for behavior, not just for looking "different."
- Police presence will help calm fears regarding difference and high-density groups of
adolescents and others.
- Ordinance would improve overall behavior of panhandlers because would exclude those who
have exhibited criminal behavior in past (they tend to repeat these behaviors and are the
most disruptive panhandlers).
- Ordinance would increase perception of safety because the ID tag would make the
panhandlers seem less threatening.
- If people feel safer, this will encourage more foot traffic, which will further reduce
the perceived threat, etc.
III. Next steps:
A. Educate Customers –
- Say "No."
- Send panhandlers to a designated /social service presence (Main St. storefront) for
help.
- Call 911 and give description of panhandler to officer.
- Give donations to our partners (e.g. Salvation Army).
B. Train Police
- Enforcement strategies.
- Focused enforcement.
C. Work with Business Owners to help meet their needs at peak hours
D. Partner with Social Service Agencies
- Invite social services to bring staff downtown in order to provide a presence on the
street (e.g. Donations accepted and a storefront resource and referral destination).
- Downtown Cleveland Partnership collaborated with The Salvation Army to put out kettles
during peak hours. For example, there were five kettles out around major sporting events.
Resulted in 80% reduction of panhandling.
- Businesses can work with agencies to devise the least intrusive social service presence.
- E. Educate the Greater Community (Public Relations Aspect)
- The desire to spread the word about the ordinance and enforcement efforts is a
double-edged sword.
- In Cleveland, there were three large articles in the Plain Dealer that covered the
focused enforcement of the panhandling ordinance in negative ways.
- "Safety Issues" in the news have negative effect on businesses.
- Business argument is that panhandling kills business. Is this a good message, or does it
create the perception of rich business owners against the poor?
- Is it too strong a message to say that panhandlers are not homeless? Are we sure this is
always true?
- Best story might be no story. Better to have quiet education efforts.
- Deliver a positive message through pamphlets and brownbags:
"We know that Akron is a giving community.
We want you to give! Here’s how…."
or
"Support Real Change: Don’t Give Spare Change"
or
"A Hand Up; Not a Handout" |
