The panhandling problem

Dear editor:

In Arkansas, the percentage of unemployed individuals seeking work is a staggering 7.3 percent in comparison to the national average of 3.9 percent. In order to make ends meet, the unemployed have turned to panhandling, a flawed solution to unemployment. Panhandling, which is the act of begging on the street, causes money to be wasted and, in some cases, is unlawful and disorderly. The best solution to help these people is to administer credentials which would be the most cost-effective and lower the number of unlawful panhandlers.

Because only 40-60 percent of panhandlers are actually homeless, money given to panhandlers could be used to buy alcohol and drugs rather than necessities, such as food. Having credentials would help lessen this problem since panhandlers that are found buying unnecessary substances could be stripped of their credentials. This would discourage solicitors from buying harmful substances, and at the same time, allow law-abiding panhandlers to ask for alms. Also, with the possibility of having one’s credentials taken from them, there would be a decrease in unlawful panhandler activity such as disorderly conduct of inebriates, harassment of pedestrians, and aggressive behaviors.

I believe that administering credentials would be most effective to this problem due to being a low-cost solution and still allowing panhandlers to exercise their freedom to ask for help. With such a high unemployment rate in the state, it is an issue that must be acted upon with utmost importance. A.J. Navarro Hot Springs