Bath Township Police Department

Panhandlers

    Panhandling is a challenging issue faced by cities of all sizes, and one that affects Bath Township. Panhandlers are strangers who may approach someone, or set at a location on the street, asking for money.
     Street vendors, outdoor performers, and others providing a legitimate service, with a valid permit, are not panhandlers.
According to studies by professionals and service agencies, money given to panhandlers is often used to further enable self-destructive behaviors such as alcoholism and drug addiction, by using the money collected to purchase alcohol and drugs. One former panhandler and addict was quoted as saying, “Giving money to a panhandler is like giving a gun to someone who is suicidal.”
     The biggest misconception about panhandlers is they are homeless. In fact, the vast majority of panhandlers are NOT homeless, and most homeless individuals do not panhandle. Homelessness is not the problem for truly needy panhandles, but rather, a symptom of underlying problems.
     For some, panhandling is a profession, and can be lucrative. In the Fairlawn and Montrose commercial areas there have been eyewitness reports of scheduled pickups by van, appointed intersections with shifts, and one panhandler handing off his or her cardboard sign, which supposedly tells “the story” – homeless, unemployed, single parent, etc. – to the next person taking the shift.
     If a panhandler asks for money, the best response is to politely say “no” and walk away. The police should be contacted if a panhandler becomes aggressive or if you feel threatened.
      A better way to help those in need is to donate to charities and organizations with outreach programs that assist the homeless and needy or volunteer time at these organizations and service agencies. By becoming more knowledgeable about panhandling and homelessness, we can make a positive impact in the lives of those less fortunate.