This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Our community is being damaged by professional panhandlers. I live downtown, work downtown and have seen the same long faces and cardboard signs for the better part of five years. I've seen tourists, businesses and residents harassed by panhandlers who are not homeless or helpless but rather have made panhandling their career. People are intimidated, frightened and feel unsafe.
Here's what other cities around our country have done to curtail panhandling. I think they are ideas worth trying:
Increase police foot patrols rather than have our officers in squad cars. Officers on the beat will discourage panhandling; in a car they may drive by.
Make it illegal for drivers to give panhandlers cash from a car. When you see a beggar exchange money with a driver at a freeway on or off ramp, it's likely you are witnessing a drug deal.
Have a "panhandle free" zone prohibiting panhandling in the business district downtown.
Pass "sit/lie" ordinances that prohibit people from sitting or lying on the sidewalks or streets.
The revitalization of our downtown has been truly amazing. To keep it this way please keep your money or give it to our existing community services for those that truly need help.
Dan Whittenburg
Salt Lake City