Nonsense Op-ed about panhandling in News and Record
Doug Clark: Don’t give to panhandlers, unless the spirit moves you
Amy Murphy serves meals in downtown Greensboro.
N&R
The man approached my car while I was waiting at a stop sign and motioned for me to roll down the window. I did.
“Can you tell me where’s the nearest gas station? My Mercedes is just over there ...”
This was downtown Greensboro last week. There aren’t any gas stations. And I didn’t see any Mercedes.
I rolled up the window and drove off. I know a phony story when I hear one (sometimes), and the “I’m out of gas and need a ride (or money)” pitch is well-worn.
I’ve heard much better:
“I need money for diapers and baby formula.”
“I need bus fare to Winston-Salem so I can have a kidney transplant at Baptist Hospital.” (Seriously!)
“I’m having company. Can you take me to the grocery store and buy me some steaks?” (True story!)
I guess I look like a sucker.
And, to tell the truth, I am ... sometimes.
I have handed over cash to panhandlers. I have given rides to men who said they needed one ... and looked safe.
That’s a judgment call, but admittedly a risk.
I prefer honesty, even if someone admits he’s going to use my money to buy a bottle of wine. Look, I won’t begrudge a man a drink now and then.
I feel bad when I say no. I’m a Christian, and Jesus says we should give to people who ask. So I’m an imperfect Christian. And I can rationalize that giving is not a blessing if the money will be used in harmful ways. Although Jesus also warns against judging others.
Of course, I know there are smarter ways to approach the problem of panhandling.
I also know that Amy Murphy is rolling her eyes at what she’s read so far in this column.
Murphy is an advocate for the homeless whose views I respect. She posted a Charlotte Observer article on Facebook Monday reporting on an effort to deny “pushy beggars” in that city’s Uptown area of skyscrapers, big banks, theaters and fancy restaurants.
“ ‘As long as we as a community continue to give $5 to somebody and say “God bless you,” that person will always be on a street corner,’ says campaign spokesman Tony Marciano, head of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. ‘But when the supply dries up ... and they no longer get their money, the panhandling stops. An addict only seeks help when they hit bottom. As long as we continue to give them funding for their drug habit, they don’t hit bottom.’ ”
Murphy added her opinion: “The article didn’t mention that we are in the middle of an opioid crisis — and that alone should be reason enough not to hand cash to folks panhandling. The likelihood of the money ending up in the hands of a drug dealer is simply too high.”
Murphy will serve a meal to anyone who shows up at Center City Park in downtown Greensboro on Monday mornings, no questions asked.
But hand someone a few dollars? Never, she says. And don’t you do it, either. It will do more harm than good.
Her advice: Every time you feel like handing cash to a panhandler, say no. Put the money in an account and then contribute to an organization that finds long-term solutions to the underlying problems of hunger and homelessness — usually mental illness and addiction.
She sees too many Band-Aid remedies that essentially help people maintain their current status. Force them instead to take the cure.
Would Jesus say tough-love your neighbor? I suppose he might.
The problem of panhandling in Greensboro became so acute a few years ago that the city passed an ordinance prohibiting aggressive solicitation and requiring a license — granted after an application is filed, a background check is conducted and a fee is paid.
I’ve never asked to see a panhandler’s license or called the police on one. I’m not in favor of arresting someone for asking, in the words of the Depression-era anthem, “Brother, can you spare a dime?”
There are people who walk our streets with hard-luck stories that are perfectly true, and they could use a dime or dollar.
Murphy agrees. But she also told me Tuesday that if I think I can tell who’s honest and who’s hustling me, I’m fooling myself.
Yeah, she’s right.
That said, I’ll still say yes when the spirit moves me — and it might be exactly that. After all, any of us could find ourselves out of gas and out of money in an unfamiliar town, relying on the kindness of strangers.
If someone cons me, well, there’s no shame in offering a hand
