Signage discouraging donating directly to panhandlers to be installed in Staunton
STAUNTON — Staunton City Council finally agreed on the wording that would appear on two signs along Richmond Avenue meant to discourage motorists from donating directly to panhandlers. The signs had been discussed since a September meeting.
The signs will be installed at both the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Frontier Drive and the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Walmart. Both will be on Richmond Avenue.
Not only will the signs explain that panhandling isn't safe but it will ask motorists to donate to social service organizations instead of directly to panhandlers. There will also be a section of the sign for those who may be homeless or hungry, providing them a number to call for help.
The sign, unanimously approved Thursday at city council's meeting, will include the Staunton, Virginia logo at the top followed by the wording:
"For Everyone's Safety, Panhandling isn't safe. Donate to Social Service Organizations. In crisis call 2-1-1."
The wording presented to council Thursday night for approval originally had "For help: 540-213-7347" instead of "In crisis call 2-1-1."
Council member Brad Arrowood had two issues with the wording as originally proposed. First, he thought it was unclear whether the number was for those wanting to donate or for those who were panhandling and needed assistance. Second, he wasn't thrilled with the response time of the 540-213-7347 number.
That number is the Valley Homeless Connection Hotline number, which is managed by the Valley Community Services Board. The problem Arrowood had is it isn't managed by a live person, instead sending the caller to a rather lengthy voicemail message that is monitored from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Arrowood called the number last month on a weekday at 4 p.m., leaving a message that identified who he was and explaining he wanted to find out how long the response time was. Someone called him back the next morning.
A reporter from The News Leader also called the number Thursday morning just before 10 a.m., leaving a message that identified him as a reporter wanting to know more about what services were offered through the number. No one returned the call Thursday. If a person in actual need had called, that response time may have been different.
Arrowood said that number isn't the most responsive number for what the city was trying to accomplish. He suggested using the statewide 2-1-1 number. When he called that number he was connected to a live person within seven minutes and when he told them he was in Staunton they were able to provide local resources for him.
"They're doing great work with that hotline (540-213-7347) but I just think that homelessness and need doesn't always follow banker's hours," Arrowood said.
Council members Michele Edwards and Terry Holmes also called 2-1-1. Edwards called at 10 p.m. and Holmes called at 3 a.m. Both got a live person within minutes.
"They had every resource for every possible need that a person would have," Edwards said.
2-1-1 is through the Virginia Department of Social Services. According to its website it provides information and referrals for:
Basic human needs:Food banks, shelters, rent or utility assistance
Physical and mental health resources
Work initiatives:Job training, English as a second language classes, GED preparation, financial and transportation assistance
Support for seniors and those with disabilities:Adult day care, meals at home, respite care, home healthcare
Support for children, youth and families:After-school programs, tutoring, mentorship programs, counseling, child care centers
Volunteering in your community:Mentorship opportunities, locations to donate food, clothing, furniture, computers or other items
Disaster support services:Up-to-date information on community and regional response, volunteer and donation coordination, crisis intervention and human service coordination
Mayor Steve Claffey asked about possibly installing one at the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Statler Boulevard.
Director of Public Works Jeff Johnston said that was difficult since the second left turn lane was added. Johnston said that left less room plus there are already traffic signs there. The sign would end up being too far back to do much good. Johnston suggested that would be a better phase two rollout for the signs after they see how the initial phase around Frontier and Walmart work.
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— 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: Signage discouraging donating directly to panhandlers to be installed in Staunton
