Editorial: Panhandling - We Can Do Better
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Panhandling is exploding in Providence and the causes and potential solutions are complicated.
The impact is profound - it is a negative experience for the panhandler, the public, the stores that people avoid and the tourists who can choose to visit another city on their next vacation.
Why people panhandle has many root causes. The causes range from those who simply are seeking the most basic money to subsist, to feeding a dependency or augmenting existing income.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTStudies done by the the Canadian Medical Association Journal found from interviews with 54 panhandlers in Toronto that while all had been homeless at some point in their life only 65% were currently homeless. 24% of those who were panhandling had their own room or apartment but needed to panhandle to gain additional income.
Panhandling is an example of our society’s failure - the lack of support, the lack of treatment, and the lack of opportunity. There is not monolithic cause or one-size fits all solution.
Criminalizing panhandling is neither a solution nor legal. Ignoring the panhandling is immoral. Claiming it does not have an adverse impact on the self-esteem of the individual or the small businesses that they are standing in front is naive.
Providence -- and Panhandlers -- Needs a Solution
There are those that claim panhandlers are making hundreds of dollars and those that say it is less than $25 a day - the argument is non-germane to finding a solution.
While an improved economy will not hurt, for many it will have no effect. Those who have family who suffer from mental illness or substance abuse know that 100 new GE jobs or 5,000 wouldn't impact folks battling what life has dealt them.
Certainly, we can do better. We need an overarching strategy and we need a range of solutions to treat, train, and serve those that are forced or choose to stand on a corner asking for money.
In the 1980’s Mitch Snyder transformed America’s awareness of the issue of homelessness. Today, we need an advocate to raise awareness and help lead our community to solving the problem.
Ignoring it is not a strategy. Moreover, at the end of the day, if we do everything right there will be those that refuse shelter, treatment, training or any other service
Related Articles
- Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless Gives State C+ for Efforts
- ShelterWalk’s 25th Walk for RI’s Homeless Families
- NEW: RI Council 94 Clothes the Homeless this Holiday Season
- NEW: RI’s Homeless Population Shrinks for First Time Since 2007
- RI Coalition for the Homeless Praises Affordable Housing Funding in Budget
- RI’s Homeless Numbers Climb by More Than Ten Percent
- RI Coalition for the Homeless Celebrates Community Heroes
- NEW: Homelessness on the Rise in RI
- Homeless Advocate Jim Ryczek: 12 Who Made a Difference in RI in 2012
- Advocates Say Chafee ‘turned a blind eye’ to homeless crisis
- Daniel Lawlor: Chilly in March: Remembering Homelessness Advocates
- Former Friar, Celtic Eric Williams is Homeless
- RI Coalition for the Homeless To Hold Candlelight Vigil
- Veterans Group Blasts Rhode Island Homeless Coalition
- Miss RI Italia Winners to Hold “Help Warm the Homeless” Fundraiser
- Operation Stand Down RI Blasts Homeless Assessment Report
- Homeless Tent Camp Under Route 10 Draws Concerns
- Homeless Take Over Former Bank Facade on Weybosset St. in Providence’s Financial Dist
- RI Coalition for the Homeless Says EG Man’s Actions Were Misguided
- Candlelight Vigil for West Warwick Man Who Died Homeless to be Held on Thurs.
- Group Seeks Support for New Facility to Care for RI’s Homeless
- RI Homeless Rate Declines, Earns “B” Grade in Prevention
- RI Homeless Shelter Director Recognized With 2015 Harlequin Award
- GoLocalTV: Miss RI USA Anea Garcia Hosting Fundraiser to Combat Homelessness
- Guest MINDSETTER™ Sen. Pichardo: Ballot Question Will Have Strong Impact on RI Homelessness
