Begging to disagree

A better way to end panhandling

IN THIS ECONOMY, there is very little excuse for panhandling. Almost anybody who wants a job can get a job. The experts who study these things tell us that anything below 5 percent unemployment is actually “full employment.” That is, such a low number can be explained by people moving across state, getting another job, or going back to school.

Still, somebody driving around town in Arkansas, especially the bigger towns, might find one or two or three people standing next to stop lights, holding signs, darting in and out of traffic, begging for money. Cities keep passing ordinances against the practice. The ACLU keeps filing lawsuits against the ordinances. Courts keep throwing the local laws out.

The latest example: Rogers’ anti-panhandling ordinance, which sought to prohibit people from approaching cars in traffic on city streets, has been ruled unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks. He said it’s a violation of the First Amendment, not only for panhandlers but people handing out leaflets, political activists and others.

In his ruling, the judge acknowledged that panhandling is often seen as a nuisance. Drivers getting off the interstate don’t like dodging someone in the exit lane, and business owners get tired of having to chase panhandlers off their properties. From a business and tourism angle, homelessness can be damaging.

But as the elected leaders of Arkansas are learning, they can’t legislate their way out of the problem. There is a better way.

In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Reed v. Town of Gilbert—that’s Gilbert, Ariz., not Gilbert, Ark.—that rearticulated when the government limits free speech based on content (like begging), it must serve a compelling interest and must do so as narrowly as possible. That’s according to The Columbia Law Review. Although the case had nothing to do with panhandling, lower courts have used this as a basis to invalidate anti-panhandling ordinances here and across the country.

Arkansas cities have tried to dance around the ruling by basing their ordinances on traffic safety or targeting “aggressive panhandling,” as Rep. Charlie Collins attempted with his state law. Both make sense. You don’t want panhandlers being struck by cars. And you don’t want your wife, child or grandma dealing with an aggressive beggar while pumping gas. And yet, both legislative efforts have been struck down by the courts.

Tennis lawsuit matches with the ACLU aren’t helping. So We the People need a new solution.

The city of Albuquerque seems to have one. A few years ago, the city launched its “There’s a Better Way” program. Here’s how the city said it works:

“In partnership with St. Martin’s Hospitality Center, the program transports individuals to a City of Albuquerque Solid Waste Management Department job site five days a week. The 10-person crews have proven reliable and effective and work hard to beautify the City through cleaning up litter and pulling weeds. Since 2015, the crews have cleaned 894 City blocks and collected 256,741 pounds of waste. At the end of the workday, the workers receive their pay from St. Martin’s and can get connected with other resources based on their needs.”

Here’s some stats from the program: 1,575 people have worked in this program

422 workers have pursued permanent jobs from St. Martin’s employment services

76 of those workers have gained permanent employment positions

355 have received mental health and/ or substance abuse services

21 households have been placed into stable housing

Having a home and steady job where one can save a little money (along with gaining access to other social services, like mental health clinics) could allow many that blanket our streets to get themselves straight. And get them out of traffic.

Of course, the greatest frustration for many, including ourselves, is always going to be able-bodied adults who have zero mental or physical disabilities that stand at the street corner with a sign and collect handouts all day. But none of us are clairvoyant enough to determine who’s really on the outs and who’s just avoiding work.

Here’s another way to stop panhandling: Stop giving money to people at red lights. They’re there because that’s where the money is. (Sutton, W.) We don’t wish to sound hard-hearted, but taxpayers and businesses pay good money to the government to see to the needs of the impoverished. Businesses have enough problems without having panhandlers driving away customers, and drivers have enough to look out for without having to dodge people in traffic.

Instead of handing out a single to the guy at the corner, donate to your local shelter or food pantry. Such a practice comes with an extra added bonus: All of that money will go to good purpose.