Who are the panhandlers?
It is very important to note that not all panhandlers are homeless and, certainly, not all homeless individuals are panhandlers. Local law enforcement tells us that there are professional panhandlers who will move around to the most lucrative areas, sometimes with stories of bad luck which they use repeatedly to much financial success. We also know that many panhandlers are not, in fact, using the money for food – but instead for drugs and alcohol. In fact, there are plenty of services available in Chattanooga to aid those who are truly hungry. Why dont the police just arrest them? Panhandling is prohibited by City Code only in certain areas of the downtown and riverfront areas. However, in order for Police to cite a person to court, they must either see the offense or the citizen must wait for police to arrive and be willing to issue a complaint. That requires going to court time and inconvenience that most of us are not willing to commit. What is the solution? Putting a stop to panha
