Word on the street is that the new panhandling "interdiction" effort is having quite an impact on the panhandlers. I spoke with over 65 people in the course of my daily duties yesterday, and there was a spirited debate on the efficacy of the sign campaign by the Downtown Partnership and Metro, but almost everyone stated the cops had been the bigger influence, as they'd been hassled by them for "loitering" and for sleeping on the benches down around the park.
One guy mentioned that an officer friendly to the Homeless had warned him to avoid the downtown park completely "until things cool off after the election" because the metro captain has told officers to be aggressive in handing out citations to the folks who frequent the park and surrounding areas. According to my source, the captain has offered a "$60 bottle of scotch" to the person writing the most citations this month. Whether there's any truth to this will probably only be known by the officer who writes the most tickets, but one thing is for sure, the crackdown on panhandling has been a fairly strong one and it's having an impact on those of my clients who frequent the downtown area.
One other thing should be mentioned here. I spoke with a long-term Homeless gentleman yesterday about finding a better place to hang and he was having none of it. He said that no matter what the city tries to do to discourage the Homeless from congregating downtown, the library and the park will always be the place he hangs until someone provides him with the same services elsewhere that are available there; bathrooms close by, a place to get out of the weather, and a nearby store, all of which can be easily accessed - and departed - by the bus.
Cracking Down On Panhandling
July 9, 2007 04:14 PM
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Metro police and downtown business owners hope a new initiative curbs panhandling in the area.
Police have posted signs urging people not to give money and it seems to be working.
"They just walk up here and ask me if I have any spare change," said Hannah Ritter of Gray Line Tours.
Ritter said it's a constant problem along Second Avenue.
"It's a little bit scary sometimes," Ritter said.
She said panhandling is "not a very good representation of Nashville for the tourists."
"When you come down with your family it's not nice to get hit up by panhandlers," said tourist Jim Powers.
That's why Metro police and area business owners are cracking down. Signs have been posted by Metro, urging visitors not to dig in their pockets for pesky panhandlers.
"Most people do not aggressively panhandle," said Richard Stewart who is homeless.
Despite that thinking among panhandlers, visitors think it's a good idea.
"I don't think that I would want to be in the particular area if there was a lot of panhandling going on because I would feel not only hassled but threatened," said Lisa Powers, a tourist.
Police along with the Nashville Downtown Partnership have really been pushing this issue.
Ritter believes it is working.
"No one has come up to me and asked me for money lately," she said.
"I think we've all felt pretty comfortable down here the entire time," Lisa Powers said.
The Nashville Downtown Partnership has also started a number of training sessions to teach business owners and downtown workers what to do if they're approached by a panhandler.
Business owners and police alike hope this effort will ensure that downtown remains a family friendly place.
Metro police said if anyone feels the urge to give, they should donate instead to a local charity such as the Salvation Army of Nashville and the Nashville Rescue Mission.
Word on the street is that the new panhandling "interdiction" effort is having quite an impact on the panhandlers. I spoke with over 65 people in the course of my daily duties yesterday, and there was a spirited debate on the efficacy of the sign campaign by the Downtown Partnership and Metro, but almost everyone stated the cops had been the bigger influence, as they'd been hassled by them for "loitering" and for sleeping on the benches down around the park.
One guy mentioned that an officer friendly to the Homeless had warned him to avoid the downtown park completely "until things cool off after the election" because the metro captain has told officers to be aggressive in handing out citations to the folks who frequent the park and surrounding areas. According to my source, the captain has offered a "$60 bottle of scotch" to the person writing the most citations this month. Whether there's any truth to this will probably only be known by the officer who writes the most tickets, but one thing is for sure, the crackdown on panhandling has been a fairly strong one and it's having an impact on those of my clients who frequent the downtown area.
One other thing should be mentioned here. I spoke with a long-term Homeless gentleman yesterday about finding a better place to hang and he was having none of it. He said that no matter what the city tries to do to discourage the Homeless from congregating downtown, the library and the park will always be the place he hangs until someone provides him with the same services elsewhere that are available there; bathrooms close by, a place to get out of the weather, and a nearby store, all of which can be easily accessed - and departed - by the bus.
Cracking Down On Panhandling
