City officials discussed the issue of panhandling Tuesday, after Councilman Mike Gallagher (D10) submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) to review the current panhandling ordinance and find ways to strengthen it. Both Gallagher and City Manager Sheryl Sculley confirmed that there has been an increase in individuals asking for money on streets and at intersections, which has prompted many concerned phone calls to their offices.
The current panhandling ordinance states that it is illegal to solicit “in an aggressive manner in a public area,” or within 50 feet of areas such as ATMs, banks, a parking meter or pay station, marked crosswalks, bus stops or bus stations, and more.
Gallagher told the Rivard Report during a Tuesday phone interview that constant and recent feedback from constituents and small businesses made him decide to take on the panhandling issue. According to Gallagher and Councilman Joe Krier (D9), citizens are concerned about public safety and want to see something done about it.
“It’s all about safety,” Gallagher said. “I’ve heard about it all over town. Panhandlers will jump out in front of cars or people at major intersections, or they’ll also come up to people who are coming out of a store, and this is costing businesses. Fellow Council members are having the same problems.”
Gallagher said he has heard of vans that go out early in the day, drop off individuals who panhandle at major intersections, and then pick them back up in the afternoon. In addition, human trafficking organizations are forcing people to be panhandlers, Gallagher said, and he wants to investigate this issue as well. He suggested the issue be taken up by the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
“How do (we) fit the needs of those people that are disabled or unemployed, as opposed to the ‘professionals’ just doing it to make a living? That’s got to somehow be looked at and defined,” Gallagher said. “That’s why I want the City to look at other cities to see which others are having success, (and that way) we can institute some kind of change.”
Krier said that in order to really solve the panhandling problem, there must be a deep understanding of the root cause of the issue. He believes that homelessness and mental illness are core factors.
Councilman Ron Nirenberg (D8) voiced concerns about the City spending money on telling people who they should or shouldn’t give money to. Nirenberg thinks it would only move the issue around, instead of addressing the cure. Nirenberg believes money should rather be spent on addressing the cause of panhandling in order to really reduce the issue.
“We need to ask ourselves why this is occurring,” Nirenberg said. “This leads us to uncomfortable places but we need to ask that question. As a city, and as individuals, we also need to steer money to organizations that do charitable work instead of giving money to a person on the street.”
Police Chief William McManus presented a multi-faceted approach in addressing the rise of panhandling in San Antonio.
Back in September 2014, McManus proposed an anti-panhandling ordinance, which would make it illegal to give money to people on the street. A month later, McManus said it would be difficult to enforce, so he shifted focus to an awareness campaign, directing citizens to donate to organizations that help those in need instead of giving money to individuals on the street.
(Read more: McManus Drops Panhandling Ordinance, Launches Awareness Campaign)
The proposed strategy he presented Wednesday reaffirmed his focus on public awareness and discouraging street donations. McManus said it’s also important to increase the availability of resources for the homeless and encourage business owners to enforce “No Trespassing” policies. He also wants to look at ways to identify, categorize, and treat at-risk individuals and look at possibilities for a service penalty for repeat offenders.
“San Antonio is known to be a compassionate city so we should do the right thing and look at different strategies,” said Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran (D3). “I’d also ask that we move it forward to the Economic and Human Services Committee. The incorporation of the Department of Human Services will bring a balance.”
Gallagher’s request will go for review to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, which will then move it forward to the City’s Economic and Human Development Committee, per Viagran’s suggestion.
“I’m very pleased that this initiative is moving forward,” Gallagher said. “It’s all about the safety of our citizens … and we need to take a holistic approach to address all aspects and consequences of panhandling. I appreciate the work Chief McManus has done to research multiple ways to address this problem and the thoughtful commentary provided at today’s Governance Committee. I look forward to our next briefing on this item in both the Criminal Justice and Economic and Human Development committees.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story did not clearly elaborate on Councilman Nirenberg’s concern regarding Councilman Gallagher’s CCR on panhandling and its focus on discouraging street donations.
Top image: Cars pass Earl, an Armed Forces veteran, who hopes that people will stop at a green light and help him out. He says about 35 out of 100 do. Photo by Scott Ball.
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What empirical data was presented which shows panhandling to be on the rise? Is this just anecdotal evidence from people who disapprove of panhandling in their district? Anecdotally, I feel like Austin has a panhandling problem – S.A. has very little by comparison. I hope there are some facts in play if this is occupying city time. Otherwise it’s haves trying to further segregate themselves from have-nots.
Carl, I lived downtown for over a year and still work there every day. Trust me, panhandling is insanely out of control right now. It is not about being cold hearted or separating myself from the “have-nots”. It is just a fact. I cannot sit and enjoy my afternoon coffee at Starbucks without being confronted by several people for money within a 20 minute period.
I don’t even say “sorry” anymore when they ask. I simply ignore as if I don’t hear them because its that bad and a lot of times its repeat offenders. I am not the only one that feels this way. I know plenty that work, live, and relax downtown that feel the same as I do. Something has to be done. However, I am all for the methods that the police chief wants to put forward as I do have a heart and think there need to be more programs available for them. Sadly, a good number of them refuse the help such as Haven of Hope because they don’t want to give up their street drugs (like Klimax).
It truly is out of control, and extremely uncomfortable, especially for a woman.
I work downtown, and walk daily from the Walgreens on Houston St to the Rand Building. On those few blocks, I get asked for money anywhere between 2-5 times (on average!). And it’s not always polite. I don’t even remember how many times I’ve been insulted by panhandlers after I said, “No, sorry.”
If you don’t go downtown you simply don’t get it.
Panhandling at intersections creates traffic hazards, but that is nothing compared to the in your face intimidation that goes on downtown.
I’ve lived downtown and I still work downtown. The panhandling is out of control. Some of these people are very aggressive and I can’t imagine it is a good impression upon tourists to be harassed while trying to enjoy our downtown. There are plenty of poor people wandering downtown streets who desperately need mental health care, but there are plenty who simply try to capitalize on people’s generosity and/or reluctance to say no out of fear. The city just gave all the over glorified SAPD generous raises, now the city should put them to use to clean up downtown, instead of them standing around texting.
I agree that panhandling is on the rise and something needs to be done. Something also needs to be done with all the homeless people that hang out inside the central library downtown. Perhaps a new rec and rehabilitation center for the homeless?
I am sick and tired of Panhandlers. I am waiting for my order at Taco Cabana on San Pedro and this panhandler comes in , dressed filthy and I smell her before seeing her, refills her cup with soda and walks out and starts asking for money in from if taco cabana !
Sick and tired of those people. Some prefer to live a life on drugs and to be out in the streets and that’s okay but those people need to understand that if they want to live like that they need to do it somewhere else. All others can seek help