Police: Oregon panhandlers raking in the green

Police: Oregon panhandlers raking in the green

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Story Published: Feb 3, 2008 at 1:40 PM PDT

Story Updated: Feb 3, 2008 at 3:46 PM PDT

By Associated Press

COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) - A police survey says panhandlers outside a Wal-Mart here can make $300 a day. Inside, it takes a clerk a week to make that much.

Police say people who have a problem with that needn't look to the law--asking for money is considered protected free speech.

"We are not going to target panhandlers," said Coos Bay Police Capt. Rodger Craddock, who spoke a recent gathering of business owners about panhandling. "We can't do that. But if they aren't getting money from us, they aren't going to stand on that corner."

He said most panhandlers are not criminals. "They are nearly as likely to be victims of illegal acts as they are of committing them," he said.

He recalled a panhandler who was hit over the head with a flower pot and had his wallet stolen. The money in it was from welfare.

"Most (panhandlers) have lived here a long time and actually have homes," he said. "This is just their chosen profession."

He said most are docile, and that people should report those who are not.

"They are there for the money and the money is there to feed their addictions," said Bob More, director of housing and emergency services at South Coast Community Action.

He suggested a voucher system involving tickets people could give that are good for a meal or bed in a shelter.

More said some panhandlers have mental illnesses and won't seek help if they are being given money. "These are broken people who will never be able to hold a job," he said. "They need disability payments."

Craddock was asked if telling people to ignore panhandlers hobbled the panhandlers' free speech. He and most of the business owners said they did not.

"We are trying to educate the community that they have a choice," More said. "That's not suppressing their freedom of speech."

Bookstore owner Kate Fox suggested putting placards in store windows discouraging giving money to panhandlers.

"This is about behavior modification," she said.

Mayor Jeff McKeown said at the meeting that it is a balancing act. "We have a responsibility to you business owners, but we also need to be empathetic to people in our community with these problems," he said.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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