Could signs help discourage panhandling in Staunton? Council looking into options
STAUNTON — Staunton City Council is looking for a way to limit panhandling along city intersections. While the city can't make the act of asking for money illegal since it's constitutionally protected under the First Amendment's freedom of speech clause, it can give residents alternatives to giving money to those asking.
Councilor Mark Robertson said both he and Mayor Steve Claffey have received complaints from citizens that some panhandlers are getting more aggressive. Robertson specifically mentioned the entrance to Walmart off of Richmond Avenue.
"My main concern, in all honesty, is a safety concern," Robertson said during a city council work session Sept. 14. He said both those asking for money and those driving could be in danger if a traffic accident occurs.
"When you are putting people out there within a few feet of 2,500-, 3,500-, 4,500-hundred pound vehicles and something happens ... somebody could get hit, god forbid get killed," Robertson said.
Robertson's suggestion to council was that Staunton put up signs asking drivers not to give to solicitors and instead give to a local charity. He provided an example of a sign in Henrico County.
In 2019 Waynesboro installed signs that read "Please Do Not Donate To Persons in Median. For Assistance Or Donation Info Please Call 540-932-0319." Both Waynesboro and Augusta County in recent years have repealed laws making panhandling illegal following challenges to the constitutionality of those laws.
Councilor Brad Arrowood suggested making sure there is a specific number listed on the sign, saying "support a local charity" is a bit too generic.
"All the time you think if I am giving to this person is it really helping," Arrowood said. "Is it helping with housing? Is it helping with food?"
The Waynesboro number simply goes to a message that asks people to donate to a variety of organizations. It also tells callers that, if they are in need, they can contact Shenandoah Valley Social Services or Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry, providing phone numbers for both.
Staunton City Manger Leslie Beauregard told council that, if this was something they wished to pursue, she wanted to make sure that the phone number or website listed on the signs are kept updated. Council asked Beauregard to research where to place the signs and what info to include on them.
She will report back to council after gathering information, saying she will try to provide the information during a work session in October.
More: Staunton cartoonist to release latest graphic novel featuring adventures of Doggy and Dew
More: Availability of new 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine in Virginia
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton Council exploring signs to discourage panhandling in city
