Mayor Calls for Action Against Panhandlers

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Ashley Klann, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Mayor Joe Petty called for action against Worcester’s panhandling problem at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. Several councilors voiced their support, saying they have heard concerns from residents across the city.

“This is an issue that has been building over the past few months,” Mayor Petty said in his address to council. There are standouts and panhandling, and people are going into the streets. Someone’s going to get killed.”

“It’s gone beyond someone standing there with a sign. When people fear their safety, it becomes an issue,” said Councilor Kathleen Toomey.

In his address to council, Mayor Petty asked that City Manager Michael O’Brien deliver a report and comprehensive plan at the next meeting on July 17th.

A Citywide Issue

Several councilors supported the mayor’s decision, voicing concerns from across the city. Councilors William Eddy, Rick Rushton, Konstantina Lukes, and Kathleen Toomey all spoke out about the issue.

“This city has so many panhandlers,” Councilor Rushton said, making the assertion that many operate in “organized crews.” “It’s clear when a women on the corner of Park and Salisbury Street is driving away in her car and they’re getting dropped off in vans. There’s something wrong here.”

Rushton defended the city’s response to the homeless and people “down on their luck” but said something has to be done to combat the problem.

“The manager did a great job on this issue the last time, but it’s time to reinvigorate the prior policies,” Rushton said.

Councilor Toomey offered anecdotes of her experiences with those asking for money in Worcester, saying it is the council’s role to educate people on the proper response to panhandling.

“I was approached by a gentleman for the sixth time in at least six months,” she said. “There are so many examples of this, and they often have the same story. ‘I need money to get to Boston. I’m stuck.’ The last time, I offered to drive them to Union Station and buy them a ticket, but they didn’t want it. We need to educate people about how to deal with this. They need to know the dos and don’ts for personal safety.”

“Coming off the highway, downtown, anywhere in Worcester, you see people in the streets soliciting money,” Petty said.

Concerned Residents

Councilor Toomey also discussed the reaction of one resident, whom she said “appeared to be able to take care of himself and was not intimidated easily.”

“In the past week he really felt like he was at risk,” she said. “When a panhandler bangs on the window, asking for money, the problem has gotten out of control. Near the Lincoln Street -290 cut off there is a gentleman who has been there for quite some time and places his things on top of one of the war memorials.” Toomey said she has informed the panhandler that he is “defacing the monument.”

“The guy doesn’t care,” she said.

A Problem for Good Causes?

Councilors also voiced their concern that the measure would adversely affect those trying to do good in the city, especially little leagues and school teams who depend greatly on fundraising events held in the city.

Councilor George Russell, who did not support the measure at its announcement, said that this was his reasoning.

“There are so many little leagues and teams who are dependent on fundraising efforts. I’m afraid of mix-up,” he said. Despite this concern, Russell was still in favor. Mayor Petty reassured that any measures taken to deal with the matter will make a distinction between the two separate cases. “This will change the look of this city and keep it what we want it to be. But we have to be careful. Even our firefighters depend on fundraising like that. Will they be affected by this?”

Councilor Lukes also raised concern for organized groups as well as trends she has witnessed in the city’s panhandlers.

“I am disturbed with the increasing number of panhandlers and the younger they’re getting. They’re able-bodied young people in their 20s and younger,” she said. “How does organized panhandling compare to those working with organizations or purpose? We’re not just talking about individual panhandlers.”

“Let’s make sure we draw a distinction,” Councilor Eddy said. “Some groups don’t go through permitting process. Hope they use judgment. We need to be careful on this.”

Mayor Petty restated his initial worries about individuals getting hit while in traffic, saying that, regardless if someone is panhandling or fundraising for a purpose, that outcome must be avoided.