Panhandlers need help not found on the streets

As a long-standing resident of Albuquerque who lives and works in the city, I take exception to Mr. Jeremy Reynalds’ position in his Sunday (Sept. 3) op-ed that leaving panhandlers on the street is preferable to City Councilor Trudy Jones’ proposal to get them off the street and into help services. What Councilor Jones proposes would be good for panhandlers and good for the residents of our city.

First, I wish to go on record in saying that I have only admiration and respect for Mr. Reynalds, and for the excellent work he’s done and is doing with Joy Junction. Mayor Richard Berry and the City Council deserve recognition for their efforts in dealing with the homeless that have not only helped the homeless in our city, but also brought nationwide respect for Albuquerque. Also, residents of Albuquerque deserve recognition for our support of such programs because, after all, they are not free.

Residents pay for programs including numerous homeless services delivery locations throughout the city, health care, food assistance, employment services, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency winter shelters and more. But Mr. Reynalds’ position would also have city residents continuing to suffer the blight that leaving panhandlers on the street inflicts on our city.

I do not support his position that leaving them on the street is better than putting them into a system that can truly help them, nor is it fair to residents. Forcing panhandlers off the street is the only way to move those who would otherwise not go into a help system that can truly help them. Allowing panhandlers to remain on the street in order to feed a drug or alcohol problem is no solution.

Panhandlers are made up of people with drug habits, alcohol addiction, mental problems and, yes, some are just plain con artists. A small minority may just be down on their luck. By virtue of their destitute condition, they have clearly demonstrated they need help and are unable to provide it for themselves. Leaving panhandlers free to roam the streets does not provide help except for those who volunteer to receive it. Let us get all panhandlers off the street and force them into help programs that are geared to addressing their specific problems and, if they are beyond help, is leaving such people on the street to fend for themselves the solution? I think not.

If Mr. Reynalds says we need a larger detox center, I believe him, let’s address that.

With respect to residents’ quality of life, Albuquerque city councilors owe it to the residents of our town to create livable urban environments free from crime and panhandlers. I support Councilor Jones’ panhandler initiative in this regard.