Earlier today County Commissioner Chris Switzer posted Vigo County’s ordinance regarding panhandling on Facebook and asked the community for their thoughts on the growing issue.

Responses to the post were mixed with several commenters wanting stricter enforcement. Many also expressed the discomfort panhandlers create when they’re stopped in their vehicles. With one commenter posting, “I want to sit at a stop light and not feel bad.”

Karrum Nasser, Executive Director of Vigo County’s Solid Waste Management was concerned with public safety and stated, “When there are an abundance of resources and jobs the excuses for panhandling are inexcusable these days.”

This has been a concern for cities around the country and many have resorted to ordinances similar to those of Vigo County which restrict panhandling near roadways. Vigo County’s ordinance specifically prohibits, “conversation or discourse with an occupant of a vehicle in the roadway.”

However, many similar ordinances have been invalidated due to an “infringement on the free speech rights of panhandlers.” According to research done by Middle Tennessee State University panhandling ordinances must, “(1) be neutral in content, (2) be narrowly tailored, (3) leave open ample alternative channels of communication, and (4) serve a significant government interest that is pressing and legitimate.

Some cities, like Evanston, Illinois, have taken a different approach. The Chicago suburb chose a public relations strategy to encourage drivers to donate to local charities rather than give directly to panhandlers. Signs were posted reading, “Have a heart, Give smart” with a QR code connected to local food banks and homeless shelters.

According to an article in the Evanston Roundtable the city has seen improvement but still struggles with “aggressive panhandling.” In response some have suggested a “community responder” model.

“Under this approach, EPD dispatchers would divert ‘low priority’ calls such as wellbeing checks, nuisance complaints and disorderly conduct to unarmed civilian responders, city employees trained in skills like de-escalation and conflict mediation.”