Feature Story

June 30, 2008

Preventing Panhandling

From Urban Institute:

This guide is designed to equip local merchants and retailers with problem solving strategies aimed at reducing panhandling in and around their properties.

Focusing heavily on the value of partnerships with law enforcement, the guide walks readers through the process of understanding their panhandling problem; collecting crime data; identifying potential strategies; and measuring the impact of those strategies.

Several promising strategies to reduce panhandling are described, including: providing informational brochures about available social services to panhandlers; requiring all vendors to have permits; initiating civilian patrols to monitor and discourage activity; and prohibiting the sale of single servings of alcohol through a city ordinance.

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