Hey Cincinnati Panhandler: Leave Me Alone

I'm done with it. I can't walk to the bank downtown without getting hit up for money at least three times. I used to give out some change every once in awhile, but I'm starting to go broke.

I was in New York City for a couple days last week. I didn't get hit up for money not once - not one time, but here in Cincinnati? It’s getting really, really bad.

Now, some of the panhandlers are telling me the exact amount of money they need. What bullshit. Get a damn job!

Panhandlers: Your thoughts?

- Joe Locker

(Photo from www.strangecosmso.com)

Comments

[Nancy]

Constantly being hit up for money is the main reason I avoid downtown. Annoying to say the least.

[Del]

What's the problem? All you have to do is say no and keep walking.

[Debbie]

I seldom have extra money but if I do I don't mind handing out a little change at times. You need to remember 'there but for the grace of God goes I.'

[Ed]

Ever seen a panhandler with a cellphone? I have.

[Rapid Shave]

For those that are truly homeless, I have no problem giving them money but so many downtown you just can't trust. It's simply their lazy way to make a living.

[Mark Allen]

There's a big difference between those who are panhandling as a "way of life", those who are doing it to "support a habit" and those who are doing it because they "have to". Giving money willy-nilly to everyone who asks is not helping anyone but maybe yourself.

How do you tell the difference? Point blank ask them what they need the money for. If they say "To get something to eat", offer to buy them something. If they say no then it's not food they want. If they say "For bus fare to get to.......", offer to buy them a bus ticket/token, again if they say no.....

If you would rather jsut ignore them, that's your choice, it's not mine. I've been doing it this way long enough that they know NOT to ask me if they don't fall into category 3 above. Sometimes it's not money, it's jsut someone who will lsiten.

[Anonymous]

Joe,

The reason it happens is simple: the police let it happen. I've lived downtown for over a year now, and have been unpleasantly surprised to find no real improvement in this situation in over a year. I'm happy to be moving to a nicer, more pleasant area in the city limits and far away from the negative energy downtown.

I'm not trying to slam the development that is taking place - but the city has got to set some priorities. People don't want to deal with crap like this everyday. They also need a place to buy groceries. It's funny; with all of the new development downtown and the upscale owners that, for instance, the McAlpin is trying to attract, you would think the city would be working hard to improve its image and to work on these quality of life things. I don't have time to wait another 2 years before this happens. Get moving!

And, as someone who comes from a relatively modest financial background, while I certainly sympathize with the plight of many homeless, the panhandling attitude down here is hostile and aggressive; it desperately needs to be fixed.

[David Gallaher]

Bums are no different than the other people in our daily lives. Some are annoying. Most are not. Some are fun to be with.
I find Piatt Park up on Garfield Place a good place to get to know bums as people. Most of them follow the unwritten code there that they are taking a break from panhandling in the shade and on those benches.

Some here might be surprised at how many bums I meet who do not seem to have a problem with alcohol or drugs or personal hygene.

[5chw4r7z]

I say no and keep walking, but it bothers Ms. 5chw4r7z to no end. i agree if the police really cracked down it would end, but for some reason if the police in Cincinnati even look sideways at a panhandler, rights groups cry foul. Don't notice this in places like Cleveland. Hey thats the cost of living in an urban environment. heaven forbid we run into someone not exactly like ourselves! Thats why they made West Chester. as for that being your excuse to avoid downtown, come on grow up!

[Tom]

I haven't found downtown panhandling to be aggressive, with one or two exceptions during the past four years of my spending every day downtown. Just say no and continue on your way, it's so easy.

[GTCW]

I am currently living in Portland, OR and there are WAY MORE panhandlers out here than in Downtown Cincinnati. They are on every corner it seems like. I took my daughter to a neat children's water feature downtown and the panhandlers were washing them selves in the water. Can you say Gross?? Really Cincy does not have it so bad (Meth is horrible out here too). I still go downtown though, you just have to say sorry and keep walking.

[Mark Miller]

Back when downtown was vibrant day and night, all panhandling was illegal. Begging still went on, but it was low-key to avoid the cops who ran off vagrants at will.

Along came the lawyers and small change harrassment was determined to be protected free speech. Bums became rampant, and especially agressive around the courthouse. Federal Judges, also tired of being hounded, found solicitation of alms to be subject to reasonable limitations just like all other free speech, and the begging license was born.

When the panhandler ordinance was renewed in 2003, Elizabeth Wu wrote in CityBeat about DCI's successful outreach efforts. My takeaways from that article were:

1. When panhandling is tolerated by society, all we get are more panhandlers. Today some even choose it as an alternative to real work (see Mark Allen's comment).

2. When we passers-by fund them, it further enables their dysfunction and prolongs the problem. We're not going to do anything in 5 seconds or even 5 hours to fix things.

3. Social service professionals have the training and mental stamina to pursue long term cures rather than band-aids.

The really good news is that Cincinnati is blessed with loads of public, private, and religious agencies who have made it their mission to do this sort of work. The best thing we can do is give our money to them and earnestly recommend one to the next panhandler we meet. That's the carrot approach.

Re-enabling the cops to do their thing would serve as the stick. Solutions are usually much more rapid when you motivate both ends of the beast.

[jj]

Hey Rapid Share,

I've lived downtown since 2001. I've seen a lot change. But panhandlers haven't changed. Most of them know my face, and dont bother asking anymore.

Downtowners and those visiting need not to engage these people by asking questions. This only feeds the fire. This is how their pitch is crafted again and again. Know the preacher and his wife? The preacher's wifes been sitting on 75 for a decade! Now how does he get people's attention? Banging, knocking on car windows, running into the street waving his hands in the air like he's on fire.

Those who have an addiction are those who we see most. Unfortunately, so many people only help "feed" their addiction, they are hungry for more drugs, and hungry for more of your money.

[Ali]

I know this may sound naive or way too optimistic but I am going to say it anyway. Maybe instead of complaining about the homeless and talking about arresting them, and whether or not they are on drugs, maybe, just maybe we should be asking "how did this happen?" and "how do we fix it?" This might be a really hard question to answer, so we should all get involved in finding the answer. I can't say that I know what it is, but we could start with drug and alcohol treatment programs for the homeless located close to the places that we see them panhandling. Maybe part of the answer is job training, education, better shelters and mental health institutions. I am sure I sound like a bleeding heart liberal that wants to spend all of your tax money-and I am and I am proud of it. But here's something most non-liberals wouldn't expect to hear from a liberal...a Bible verse: "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies." Psalm 41:1,2
I do not propose that we should all give the homeless all of our money, but do what the Bible says, "consider the poor." I think that means to consider their situation, and try to find ways to help. It may be true that giving a begger money is not helping in some cases, so consider getting off of you ass and doing something to help or maybe come up with an idea that could help and submit it to the mayor or city council...at least because it benefits you and your comfort while working and living downtown.