"Can you spare a quarter?"
Familiar words to anyone who shops or
walks around any shopping area, or public place. How should you
react to someone who poses this question to you? Is it best to
ignore a panhandler or to give them money?
Here are some
suggestions that you consider the following in an encounter with
a panhandler:
-
Any stranger who approaches you on the
street should be viewed with caution, regardless of their
appearance.
-
NEVER display money or reveal where you keep
it to anyone. Someone asking for change or another observer may
be tempted to forcibly demand that you give up all of your
cash.
-
ALWAYS report any confrontation that you have with
someone who physically or verbally forces you to give them
money. Go to the nearest phone and report the incident to the
police.
Anyone who is homeless and needs assistance or anyone
who would like to help the homeless should contact an agency
that provides direct homeless services.