The Central West End Association and the City of St. Louis have announced the launch of the "Real Change" campaign. The goal of the campaign is to discourage the random giving of money to panhandlers while encouraging contributions to local social service providers. The campaign is conjuction with a new city ordinance restricting panhandling.
Parking meters donated by the St. Louis Treasurer's Office have been installed at four locations in the Central West End. These meters will be used to collect change that will be distributed to area service providers. In addition, neighborhood businesses will distribute cards informing residents and visitors of the campaign and encouraging participation in "real change."
Alderman Lyda Krewson, who introduced the legislation making it tougher to panhandle in the City, said, "This campaign is about making people aware that giving money directly to panhandlers is not helpful to the individual and perpetuates the problem."
St. Louis Treasurer Larry Williams, whose office donated the parking meters, said, "We’re pleased to play a role in helping to curb panhandling."
National studies show panhandlers often commit other crimes, such as breaking into cars, urinating in public, disorderly conduct, purse snatchings and robberies. According to neighborhood beat officers, a significant number of calls for police service in the Central West End concern the same people who are panhandling.
“The majority of panhandlers in the Central West End are not homeless,” said Tricia Roland-Hamilton, president of the Central West End Association. “Many of them can be aggressive and threatening at times.”
The ordinance prohibits panhandling at night, near bus stops, at outdoor cafe's, inside businesses, and near banks and ATM's. Aggressive panhandling, which would include blocking a person's way or continuing to beg after a person says no, is also banned.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has initiated new procedures to address panhandling city-wide.