The Augusta Commission wasted more time last week talking about a problem that government simply cannot fix: the rash of panhandling.
What used to be mainly a downtown problem has spread to virtually every end of the county. No new law or ordinance is going to even make a dent in the problem.
For once, we actually agree with the city attorney’s assessment that any ordinance that is stifling free speech is not Constitutional. One may not like the speech, and it may be an annoyance, but it is still free speech.
Even with a stricter ordinance, who is going to enforce it? Even if the Sheriff’s Office were fully staffed, it would be a waste of taxpayer’s resources for there to be a cop on every street corner looking for panhandlers.
The solution to this problem lies with the public. There is one easy way to virtually eliminate panhandling and that is for all of us to stop giving panhandlers money.
That’s it.
If people would stop forking out a dollar or two when approached on the street, word would get around the homeless community that Augusta is no longer prime hunting grounds, and they will move on.
Business owners should report aggressive panhandlers near their shops.
We are not being uncompassionate. This is what the local experts on homelessness all agree on. If the Salvation Army is on the record as saying don’t give to panhandlers, then we would all be wise to heed their advice.
