Panhandling and Memphis

The issue of panhandling in Memphis is receiving much media attention lately. The Center City Commission recently began a campaign to discourage people from giving money to panhandlers, warning that “handouts do not help the needy.”

Many downtown residents have come out strongly in favor of the campaign, saying that many of those panhandling are not homeless but have found a lucrative way to make easy money. They also say that the panhandlers are often aggressive, potentially violent and downright scary. Both Smart City Memphis and downtown resident Paul Ryburn have taken up the issue, and Street-people.com offers a humorous look at panhandling.

Others understandably worry that we could be criminalizing the homeless and instead urge compassion toward the panhandlers, advocating that money be spent toward mental health and housing programs to help those in need.

Commercial Appeal fashion editor Barbara Bradley recently wrote an opinion column on the issue, saying beggars are a blight for downtown.

The CA’s Hot Button focused on the issue yesterday, asking readers to weigh in on the subject.

I don’t live in downtown Memphis and I’m not a tourist, so my firsthand knowledge of panhandling in Memphis is scarce. I avoid driving during rush hour and am rarely downtown during normal working hours. When I do visit downtown—usually for sporting events, theater or dining on weekends--I rarely if ever see people panhandling for money. My personal experience might lead me to believe that the problem is overblown.

However, after reading firsthand accounts from many downtown residents and workers and realizing how strongly they feel about the issue, I’m inclined to believe that this is a serious problem. I also believe that a team approach with many local agencies working together to identify and solve the root causes of homelessness, all of Memphis will benefit.