NPR: A Penny For Your Thoughts

A Penny For Your Thoughts

Filed under:

In yesterday's editorial meeting, Alison brought up two interesting and related stories. One centers around efforts by the city of Minneapolis to crack down on panhandlers, using an interesting and controversial set of rules that prohibit a variety of activities, including verbal solicitation within ten feet of a gas station, liquor store, convenience store, or crosswalk. The other story deals with a panhandler in New Rochelle, NY, who was arrested after asking a police officer for money. His loitering charge was dismissed by a judge, who accepted the homeless man's argument that public panhandling is a form of free speech.

On a legal level, the question clearly is, "Where do we draw the line?" Courts have upheld panhandling as a form of free speech, but have also upheld the right of local governments to restrict it to protect public safety and commerce. The concern expressed by some is that if a city comes up with a long enough list of places where a panhandler can't be, it may effectively ban panhandling entirely. So do you think Minneapolis has gone too far, or are they just trying to protect local citizens and businesses?

As we continued our conversation in yesterday's meeting, Luke brought up another interesting question. We all have our own rules and make our own calculations that determine when we give money to panhandlers. What factors go into our calculations, and how reasonable or consistent are any of us? I find that I'm less likely to give money to weightier panhandlers, because I tell myself they aren't as desperate. I steer clear of panhandlers smoking cigarettes, because I deem that an unhealthy expenditure of limited funds. But I don't always follow those rules, and anyway, are those rules fair to begin with? Should I really begrudge a person living on the street a cigarette?

We're very interested in hearing your thoughts on this topic, so let us know what you think. What kinds of judgments guide your decision to give or not to give?

Dan Pashman

10:26 AM ET | 06- 1-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I never give a panhandler money because I'm thinking it might go for alcohol or cigs. But, I will buy a guy a meal at the nearest restaurant or fast food place. And I recently bought a young guy who had been homeless for only two months, a bus ticket back home to Ft. Worth. It was Mother's Day; the guy was only 24 and had been dropped off when a construction company from Dallas promised him a couple of years' work, finished the job in Jax Beach, FL in two months and left for Italy. This guy was living under a pier and bathing in the ocean early in the morning. Nice guy. He has a chance to get on his feet. That's all he wanted and he never asked for anything.

I'm glad to help, but I see no sense in enabling. I've told guys I'd buy them a meal (after they told me they're hungry) and they've declined saying they really did want to buy booze. I'm a recovering alcoholic and I know that cash often is just used to keep numb.

Sent by Alison Swann | 9:13 PM ET | 06-01-2007

First of all I would like to say Hello to Alison, I've been a fan since the MTV days! I always saw you as a very positive role model for the African-American community.

As for to give or not to give: It all depends on the moment. I catch a vibe and make a decision. One time I ran into a mother and two twins on the streets of Downtown Los Angeles and I gave them everything that was in my pockets. Other times I get the feeling that somebody is trying to hustle me (the I need money for the bus spiel) and I give them absolutely nothing. The truth of the matter is, I don't know if someone who is homeless is actually one of God's angels, so I give as most often as I can.

Sent by Mike | 9:16 PM ET | 06-01-2007

As a retired homeless person myself (we tend to retire into the workforce, if we ever do retire at all) I know full well that many "professional" pan-handlers can make a nice tax-free killing at the job if we're good at it. During my transient years, I found that in the US, it's simply not entirely necessary to beg in order to survive, and I always maintained too much pride to do so.

But charity is what makes that possible. Rather than giving a guy some change, you can do the following: donate clothes and other items to a local "free-box" (or set up a free box at the local homeless hangout if your town doesn't have one). Hand out sandwiches once a week at a common gathering place. Donate some friendship; learn their names if you see them every day and be social. Stuff like that.

If you do give out cash-- don't worry about what it gets spent on, if you were homeless, you'd need a drink too. Withholding your "spare" change isn't going to stop that.

Sent by erickveil.com | 11:33 AM ET | 06-02-2007

Erick --Thanks for your thoughts. And thanks everyone else for their comments. We want to maybe flesh this out into a segment next week. Keep the comments coming...

Sent by Matt Martinez | 1:13 PM ET | 06-02-2007

Let the market decide. the spectrum of encounters will involve some enabling and appeasing personalities. Working alongside the working poor (less than 10.00 per hour), I have less sympathy for many panhandlers who look as physically capable as myself.

Panhandlers are making a cultural statement about traditional employment and the means to make money. I object to the form of free speech which leaches of the choir, rather than seek the robber-barons who'd put them in confinement so to dispatch with their presence.

We all have our demons that hold us back. If we didn't have them, we'd not be as "needy" as we think we are.

Sent by Lucifers Heretic | 3:24 AM ET | 06-03-2007

I get a lot of people asking me for money; friendly face, I look vaguely affluent, and I suck at not looking at people.

My rules for giving are very simple. If I have money in my pocket that is easily accessible and doesn't involve counting it in front of the person, I tend to give. I have actually left a panhandler, gone in a store to pull a buck out, and went back to the man or woman to give it to them.

One exception; 'bus fare' or 'car towing' money leaves me cold. I don't like being lied to....particularly after someone asked for some money at my front door for a tow, only to find out that the same guy had been aggressively pan-handling in my neighborhood for weeks.

Sent by Drew | 9:29 AM ET | 06-04-2007

Send a Comment

Comments are reviewed and edited by NPR prior to display. All comments will be read, but not all will be posted.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Host

Alison Stewart

Welcome to 'The Bryant Park Project'

This new radio show from NPR comes to you weekdays, straight out of New York City. You can find audio and video from us here and in our podcasts. Bryant Park is not a talk show, but it is a conversation. Intrigued? Read our frequently asked questions and discussion rules.