Key Committee Recommendations (Panhandling)Key Committee Recommendations for
Dealing With Panhandling In Spokane Valley
Ordinances
Present laws make it illegal to aggressively panhandle. Unfortunately, when such a case
occurs, police are called and the victim usually does not press charges, and police are
forced to release the offender.
Present laws also prohibit interference with traffic. However, the offender usually
ignores the ticket. Property owners also can prohibit panhandling on their own property.
Police have arrested panhandlers claiming to be veterans when they were not.
Committee Recommendations:
The Committee recommends Council consider adding the following ordinances:
1. Prohibit panhandling within 100 feet of an ATM, a bus stop, a traffic signal, or
a freeway entrance.
2. Prohibit panhandling on medians.
3. Prohibit motorists and passengers from giving while in a traffic lane.
4. Prohibit being drunk in public. There is an RCW, but we need an ordinance,
also.
Social Services
There are presently many social services available in Spokane Valley: Spokane Valley.
Partners, Meals on Wheels, 2 Hands, and others.
Committee Recommendations
The Committee recommends there be a card and wooden nickel program. The
card would be given to those in need to indicate where services are available. The
wooden nickel would entitle the person with needs to a free meal and free
clothing at a clothing bank. This would also put the person in contact with social
services to meet their needs.
Public Education
A public education program is needed to inform the public about where they could give
gifts that will make a real difference. This could use such media as posters, web site,
radio, and newspapers. Cities such as Tacoma, Denver, Portland, Seattle, and others have
panhandler prevention programs. We shouldn't try to reinvent the wheel.
Anchorage has initiatives that consist of some ordinance changes, a web site, posters that
businesses place in their windows, and a wooden nickel program. It was initially funded
by a small municipal grant. Donated medial expertise created the posters and the web
site. It continues to be run at a relatively low cost.
Spokane Valley's program could consider such media as radio, TV, newspapers, and
others. It would, however, require participation by a broad segment of our community.
Committee Recommendations
The Committee recommends we form a Panhandling Action Network (PAN)
consisting of businesses, service clubs, service providers, faith community, and a
media director. It would not be directed by the City, and would be funded by
businesses and the City. They would plan and execute the public education
Panhandling Committee
October, 2008
Panhandling Recommendations
Panhandling in
Spokane Valley
Richard Munson, Mayor
Bill Gothmann, Councilmember
Ian Robertson, Planning Comm. Chair
A New Charity
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Charity Rules:
80% Goes to Drugs and Alcohol
Spokane Valley
Panhandling Committee
• Maggie Crabtree
• Cathy Neet
• Connie Nelson"
• Joe Schutz
• Ian Robertson
• Rose Dempsey
• Bill Gothmann
• Todd Babcock, City of Spokane
(;C9 0c) 0e-,I ) 6 a �j
November--2Q08
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 1
Panhandling Recommendations
Meetings
• Met 7 times UN
• Heard from
— Police
— Legal (two times)
— Social service — SV Partners
— What Spokane is doing
Panhandling
The Problem
Possible Solutions
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The Typical Panhandler
• Is unemployed
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• Unmarried
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• Has substance abuse
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problem
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• Is NOT homeless
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• 80 0/o/20% rule
6
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 2
Panhandling Recommendations
Panhandlers
• Some have mental problems
• Many have criminal records
• Most choose to panhandle because it
makes good
sense' .
• Flop Areas:
Example: Charlie
■ White male
■ Convicted felon with long record
- Four outstanding warrants
— A felony
—Two misdemeanors
— Felony Dept. of Corrections escape
warrant
Charlie
• Life long alcoholic
• Lives at Red Lion Inn in Spokane
— Sometimes lives with his wife in South
Hill neighborhood
• Has a solicitors license, "Cardboard
Expressions"
• Takes STA to Spokane Valley
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 3
Panhandling Recommendations
Charlie
• Averages $60 -80 per 2 hours in SV
• "All the pretty women in their 30's and
40's give me 20 dollar bills"
• Wal -Mart and Valley Mall are most
lucrative spots
Sullivan Area Problems
• Sharing corners and violence
• Daily Police Service calls
— Strip mall at Walmart
— Chevron near Mirabeau Hotel
— Valley Mall
—Toys R Us
— Ross
Three Parts of Solution
• Tools for Law Enforcement
• Links to Social Services
• Community Education
W
M
IN
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 4
Panhandling Recommendations
I. Law Enforcement Tools
Now in place
■ Prohibit aggressive panhandling
— Coerce or frighten into submission or
obedience
�1
Aggressive Panhandling
■ It is a problem
— Case 1: Panhandler sits in car seat
— Case 2: Panhandler obstructs movement
■ No Arrest without pressing Charges
Also Presently in Place
• Prohibit obstruction of vehicle traffic
• Property owners can prohibit
panhandling
• False claim to be a veteran prosecuted
• Problem with ticketing
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 5
Panhandling Recommendations
Law Enforcement Tools
Committee Recommendations
• Prohibit motorists and passengers
from giving while in a traffic lane
• Drunken behavior in public
Law Enforcement Tools
Place Restrictions
• Within 100 feet of ATM, bus stop traffic signal,
or freeway entrance
• On medians
San Francisco
W,
II. Available Services
• Spokane Valley Partners
• Meals on Wheels
■ 2 Hands —organization
for requesting assistance
■ Veterans Representative
■ Others
m
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 6
Panhandling Recommendations
New Social Service Link
■ Card and wooden nickel
— Good for food
— Good for clothing
— Makes connection
— Selling problem?
19
III. Public Education
• Web Site
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• Posters
• Radio
• Newspapers
14
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20
Cities with Programs
• Tacoma `
Yea vetldnt
• Denver
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■ Portland
oft W*W
painha�dter ::
• Seattle ,
• Others
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"'' "' .WA."40
• Don't reinvent the wheel
M
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 7
Panhandling Recommendations
Anchorage Program
■ Some ordinance changes
• Only Web Site and Posters
• Wooden nickel program
• Initial municipal funds
• Donated media expertise
• Very low cost operation
».. 22
Web Site
Posters
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 8
WANT TO HELP
A PANHANDLER?
13ON"t GIVE MONEY
FFIOM YOUR CAR.
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DWWWN
ONT FEED AN
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YOUR $1 CAN
CHANGE HIS LIFE
IF IT GOES TO THE
RIGHT PLACES
ANGWAGE
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DOMMN
Panhandling Recommendations
generosity is killing me. Give spare
;e to agencies instead of panhandlers.
say NO to pant
say yes to charities that help the
ga
Panhandling is not the solution
Please give to a local charity
I
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 10
Panhandling Recommendations
Other Media for SV
• Radio'`
• Television
• Newspapers
• Other media forms
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How to Get Started
■ Form a Panhandling Action Network (PAN)
— Business
— Service Clubs
— Service Providers
—Faith Based Community
— Media director
• Fund by SV and businesses
• Not directed by City
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Advice for My Generous Friends
[Those who give to panhandlers] may be the
only beneficiaries from the transaction.
They get to go home warmed
by the glow of their generosity.
The crackhead left behind is not '� ,
their problem.
James McNamara _
Times Square CAnSOrtium 444CCC
33
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 11
Panhandling Recommendations
Questions?
November 2008
Prepared by Bill Gothmann, City of Spokane Valley 12