Panhandlers have become a common sight around South Bend. Now, the city’s Common Council is considering putting them to work.
Councilman Oliver Davis and three other council members are looking to put those panhandlers to work, according to WNDU.
The council is considering a plan similar to those in place in Albequerque and Portland, Maine, that has panhandlers helping to keep the city clean. Davis notes that they have freedom of speech, and the right to hold up their signs and ask for money, work, or food.
Officials feel the new resolution would decrease the amount of panhandlers, and actually help out the ones that legitimately need the help.
Four of the 9 members of the council have already given their support to the proposal. It will face a vote on June 12.
2 comments
Good luck with that! The vast majority of “pan handlers” or BUMS as most of us refer to them, have no interest in working. That is why they are BUMS. If people would stop giving them money they would stop crowding our corners with their ridiculous signs! Have you noticed them smoking cigarettes and drinking Starbucks coffee? If they can afford $6.00 a pack for smokes and $5.00 for a coffee by begging for money they won’t be willing to work…No need obviously! Any of these people could be working in Elkhart right now. I saw a man last week with a sign that read “why lie, I need beer money”. It should be illegal to pander for money and it should be illegal to give them money. Now we have a moron politician that wants to give them our money? Oliver Davis really needs to get a real job or a hobby and get out of politics all together.
Many panhandlers take in more money than the people giving them money make legally. It’s a lifestyle choice that should not be encouraged.