Panhandlers Research Paper

Loree Weissenfluh
WR122 –Midterm
Evan Burton
June 1, 2013
Revolution Required For Rogue Street Warriors

Oregon seems to have an especially liberal freedom of speech decree; even more unrestricted than the federal constitution. This is why we have too many strip clubs, and why boldly lurking, waiting to ask for money, along with various other kinds of belligerent street behavior, is protected as free speech. Our state constitution bill of rights provides for such conduct. For our communities to feel safe we need to prohibit aggressive panhandling, especially in certain areas. It would help if, as a society, we would not give money directly to panhandlers. Giving to charities that serve the needy is a better option. If people stopped giving panhandlers money, the panhandling would likely stop. As a society we tend to classify panhandlers as deprived, homeless and broken. However, panhandlers and homeless people are not necessarily one and the same. Studies have shown that only a small amount of homeless people panhandle and only a small percentage of panhandlers are homeless. While homeless people often come from larger societal issues such as poverty,
race, class, addiction, mental health, and education, panhandlers choose this way of life as employment. Most are not interested in regular employment, especially not minimum wage, as that would scarcely be more profitable than panhandling. Some panhandler’s refusal to look for work is better explained by their inability to commit to regular work hours, often due to substance abuse problems. Because so many of our homeless in Portland are kids, we also have to recognize such issues as gender, sexuality, and lack of influential and nourishing options for young people. Many panhandling youth are simply “bored” or faintly like the ability to intimidate. Reports say that at least a third of downtown Portland’s “street kids” are current or former foster-care children who have been dumped by the state. I learned that these abandoned children have no jobs or stable homes and must fend for themselves after the state abandons not only the children; but their responsibility by not providing needed services that would help these adolescents involved in foster care transition to more stable and productive futures. Once on Portland’s streets, regardless of where they’re from, what brought them here, and what keeps them from transitioning, won’t simply return home. It is time to advocate for new social services, or coordinate existing ones. Offering treatment as an alternative to enforcement would, in turn, enforce laws regarding street disorder, including panhandling, and would give avenue to those willing to accept treatment to a social services center. Laws prohibiting panhandlers from interfering with pedestrians and vehicles need to be enacted.
Although they have all the time in the world, many pedestrians need to get where they’re going. Laying down or standing in the way is inappropriate. Convicted panhandlers need sentencing that includes community service, cleaning up the streets, sidewalks and alleys where they panhandle. Possibly officials could require solicitation permits to be obtained, although the likelihood of them actually being applied for is slim. Prohibiting panhandling is areas such as near ATM’s, on public transportation, near business entrances, on private property, and on public beaches and boardwalks could relieve anxiety for folks who are nervous to conduct regular business for fear of being
approached. We need to encourage one another to give panhandlers vouchers, instead of money. Accompanied with these vouchers should be printed information about where they can be redeemed and what social services are available to them. I know people who see homeless or panhandlers (or really anyone who is dependent upon the state to survive) as being personally responsible for their situations. They seem to think that the socially dependent folks are not victims, but are exploiting the system because they do not want to work, make poor decisions, and/or can't deal with whatever tragedy has affected them. And I know that there are people who exploit the system; I've seen it with my own eyes. I’ve met them, I’ve assisted them, and I’ve endured with them. But the vast majority are those who have hit bottom (or close to it) are not getting enough assistance to get out. And from all forecasts it's only going to get worse. As this happens, crime will increase and things will get uglier. By providing adequate social services and substance abuse programs we will reduce the need to panhandle. Enforcing aggressive panhandling laws can be difficult, partly because few panhandlers actually behave that aggressively, and partly because when it does occur it goes unreported. Just like many other forms of street disorder, panhandling is likely best controlled more through informal means than formal enforcement. Our panhandlers, merchants, pedestrians, social workers, and police officers form an intricate social network. They need to realize they have something to gain by cooperation.