Board agrees to address panhandling in roadways
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| A panhandler in the median on Little River Turnpike in Annandale. |
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 16 agreed to consider ways of discouraging panhandling in roadways.
The board passed a motion proposed by supervisors Pat Herrity (Springfield) and John Cook (Braddock) calling for county staff to draft an ordinance on panhandling that would ban “curb to curb” engagement with motorists in medians and intersections.
The draft ordinance will be discussed at the Sept. 17 meeting of the board’s Public Safety Committee.
“While there are some who panhandle because they need to, many more take advantage of the generosity of our residents through panhandling rings,” Herrity said. “Many panhandlers in the county are coming from outside the county and even outside of the state, attracted by the wealth and generosity of Fairfax County residents.”
While homelessness has decreased in the county over the past 10 years, there has been a noticeable increase in panhandling, Herrity said. He noted that in 2017, the Fairfax County Police Department received more than 2,100 calls related to panhandling, including concerns about traffic, the safety of panhandlers, and fears about a suspicious person.
Rather than giving cash to panhandlers, he said, residents should be encouraged to give them information about county resources, such as shelters, food banks, and employment referrals.
Cook agreed that the panhandling problem has gotten “massively greater” in the past couple of years, and noted that panhandlers now operate all along Braddock Road.
Supervisor Linda Smyth (Providence) said she’s seen panhandlers daily on Nutley Street, Lee Highway, and on Route 7 in the middle of Tysons.
Because the ordinance would only ban panhandling in roadways, it wouldn’t prevent teens from advertising car washes and bake sale on the sidewalk, Cook said.
Board chair Sharon Bulova said while she agreed that “something needs to be done about people abusing the generosity of the community,” she is concerned that firefighters should still be able to conduct their annual “fill the boot” campaign at intersections to raise money for muscular dystrophy.
What is the reference to panhandling rings you posted in the story lead on Facebook? It's not addressed in this article.
to draw people to the article, which doesn't seem to be working in this case.
Thank the Lord! Someone else sees the issue with the panhandlers in the area. Personally, because of a law enforcement & healthcare professional background, I NEVER give these people money; too many of them have addiction issues.
I work and I work hard for the money I earn. It’s not much but I have a hard time giving anything to someone who is able to walk, for hours, in 90 degree heat, begging for ‘help’. If you can walk, you can work a ‘job’ for 8 hours a day, too.
? Happy to help with other resources, job placement, etc but don’t just walk the medians & beg.
Rant over -Thank you
Glad you are able to work. Some people have had difficult lives, compounded by mental health issues, housing issues, and abuse, as you should know from your years in law enforcement and healthcare. What *specific* actions would you suggest we take to help these people?
Yes I agree there has been a large influx of panhandling in fairfax county lately and it needs to be removed, from all the ones i've seen they are more then capable of working a job of some caliber from mowing lawns to burger places and so forth so lets get them off the streets where they are posing serious problems
They're a problem at Seven Corners as well, and (not in Fairfax but still) Arlington near the East Falls Church Metro station. I'm glad to hear the board wants to take action.
The County is going to have a tough time making the proposed ordinance stick Court's have generally found anti-panhandling ordinances to violate the 1st Amendment. The idea of barring panhandlers from roadsides is particularly troublesome because that's where panhandlers can interact with the most people. – Sparky
It does seem like the First Amendment would permit panhandling, however, there is a safety issue. Sometimes these panhandlers come right up to your car or walk on the street as the cars start to move. It's not safe.
Panhandlers hang out because it's profitable for them. The best way to "get rid" of them is to simply not give them money. Remember, a panhandler isn't necessarily homeless nor necessarily poor.
There are PlEnTy of people who pass by them day in and day out and give them nothing. Obviously, the people who do give them money are making it worth their while to keep coming back.
This is not as simple as ignoring a single child's inappropriate behavior, or refusing to "feed" an online troll.
This afternoon–at about 5:15–I saw a panhandler on Gallows Rd. talking with a couple of police officers. I hope this is a sign of positive change.