Tweets I sent while doing StreetWatch homeless outreach this past week:

23 Mar 2012: Talked to homeless vets dishonorably discharged for mental illness/addiction related issues. Not eligible for VA treatment.

23 Mar 2012: Hanging out in the shade behind a store talking with 4 homeless guys about jobs, family, military & cops.

22 Mar 2012: Ever wonder about the permits the homeless people on the corner are wearing? Panhandling 101, Greensboro Style http://bit.ly/GNaBY9
Background: Several people we saw this week had panhandling charges. There are lots of rules and it can get complicated.

22 Mar 2012: Homeless lady went to jail for panhandling without permit. Got out. Went back to her corner. Same cop saw her. Back in jail within hours.
Update: Second arrest was for Failure To Appear on an earlier charge.

22 Mar 2012: Humbled by compassion of property management staffer for homeless men whose camp has to go. Doing his job as mercifully as possible.

22 Mar 2012: Grateful for Greensboro Police officer who took homeless man to rehab in January; visits him, stays in touch with family.

21 Mar 2012: Talked to a homeless guy today who sold his bicycle for $2.50 to buy a 40 oz beer. And it seemed normal to him.

Panhandling licenses can be obtained through the City of Greensboro Collections Division, located in Room 11 on the Upper Ground (UG) Level of the Melvin Municipal Office Building, 300 W. Washington St. (map) Their phone number is 336-373-2501.

Who can apply for a panhandling privilege license (also called a panhandling permit) in Greensboro?

Anyone can apply. All panhandling license applications are sent to the Greensboro Police Department for a background check. This can take up to seven (7) days to complete. (For more information, see section 20-72. (c)(3) of the local ordinance, below.)

How much does a panhandling license cost?

Panhandling licenses are free.

What do I need to bring with me to obtain a panhandling license in Greensboro?

• North Carolina picture ID (driver license or ID card)
• Social Security card

Who enforces panhandling laws?

The Greensboro Police Department. Their phone number (non-emergency) is 336-373-2222.

What are the laws about panhandling?

Panhandling laws are listed below (current as of March 22, 2012) from Chapter 20 – PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS, ETC. >> ARTICLE IV. – PERSONS BEGGING OR SOLICITING ALMS FOR PERSONAL GAIN >> in the Greensboro, North Carolina, Code of Ordinances:

Sec. 20-65. – Intent.

The purpose of this article is to require the registration and permitting of street peddlers, beggars and charitable solicitors who attempt to solicit sales or contributions for their own personal gain from occupants of vehicles and pedestrians on certain streets and sidewalks within the City of Greensboro, and to thereby regulate and ensure the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow and to promote roadway safety and sidewalk safety. The provisions of this article shall not apply to bona fide members of charitable, religious, civic or fraternal organizations which are exempt from the payment of privilege licenses and who receive no compensation of any kind for their services. Those persons excluded under the provisions of article III, section 20-61(b) and (c) are excluded from the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 03-81, § 1, 4-15-03)

Sec. 20-66. – Registration and privilege license required.

No person shall sell, or offer for goods for sale, or solicit contributions for their own personal benefit or engage in any other form of commercial speech in the City of Greensboro unless such persons have previously registered therefore and obtained the panhandler privilege license required under section 13-31 and section 13-102.1 of the Greensboro Code of Ordinances.

(Ord. No. 03-81, § 1, 4-15-03; Ord. No. 04-84, § 2, 6-15-04; Ord. No. 06-119, § 1, 6-6-06)

Sec. 20-67. – Privilege license procedures.

(a) Applications for panhandler privilege licenses from individuals under this article shall be submitted to the office of the city tax collector on forms provided by the office of the city tax collector. The applicant shall submit an application and shall submit to a criminal background history check which shall be reviewed by the chief of police or his designee to determine eligibility of the applicant. Thereafter, any panhandler privilege license issued shall be valid until the end of the fiscal year in which said license was issued or for such other period as may be specified on the license certificate or until information is discovered that causes the licensee, in the opinion of the tax collector, to become disqualified. In such instances of disqualification any panhandler privilege license having been issued shall be revoked by the tax collector.

(b) Upon receipt of information or reports of violation of this article or other disqualifying events as set forth in section 20-71 or 20-72, the tax collector may refuse to issue, refuse to renew or may revoke privilege licenses as deemed necessary to safeguard the interest of the public and to carry out the purposes of this article, which are to promote public safety and convenience on the streets and sidewalks of the City of Greensboro.

(c) Any panhandler privilege license issued under this article shall be nontransferable.

(Ord. No. 03-81, § 1, 4-15-03; Ord. No. 04-84, § 2, 6-15-04; Ord. No. 06-119, § 2, 6-6-06; Ord. No. 10-120, § 1, 8-17-2010)

Sec. 20-68. – Time.

Any person who begs or solicits alms for his or her own personal gain after sunset or before sunrise is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who begs or solicits alms for his or her own personal gain in a school zone during the time of arrival of students at the beginning of the school day and/or during the time of departure of students at the end of the school day is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 03-81, § 1, 4-15-03; Ord. No. 04-84, § 2, 6-15-04)

Sec. 20-69. – Place.

Any person who begs or solicits alms for his or her personal gain when the person is in any of the places listed below is guilty of a misdemeanor:

(1) At any bus or train stop;

(2) In any public transportation vehicle, facility, transit stop or taxi stand;

(3) In any vehicle on the street; or

(4) On private property, unless the person has written permission from the owner of the property to beg or solicit alms on the property; or

(5) Within three hundred (300) feet of or in any public or private school property, which shall include but not be limited to primary and secondary educational facilities, job training or continuing educational facilities, or any daycare or childcare facility.

(6) On any sidewalk adjacent to a motion picture theatre, outdoor theatre or palladium, any valid licensed vendor location, or where a line of patrons has formed.

(7) Within twenty (20) feet of the entrance to any financial institution or automated teller machine, regardless of whether or not such automated teller machine is located at or near a financial institution. Financial institution as used in this section means any bank, trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, check-cashing business, any other entity principally engaged in the business of lending or receiving or soliciting money on deposit; or

(8) Within twenty (20) feet of the entrance to any commercial establishment or private residence; or

(9) In any parking, deck, garage or surface parking lot and not within twenty (20) feet of the entrance and exits of these areas and not within twenty (20) feet of any parking meter or parking kiosk; or

(10) While under the influence of alcohol or other non prescribed drug or illegal substance; or

(11) Within twenty (20) feet of the visible barricade of any outdoor café whether such café is on the public sidewalk or on private property.

(Ord. No. 03-81, § 1, 4-15-03; Ord. No. 04-84, § 2, 6-15-04; Ord. No. 09-160, § 1, 9-15-09; Ord. No. 10-38, § 1, 4-6-10; Ord. No. 10-47, § 1, 5-4-10)

Sec. 20-70. – Manner.

Any person who begs or solicits alms for his or her own personal gain in any of the following manners is guilty of a misdemeanor:

(1) By coming within three (3) feet of the person being solicited, until that person has clearly indicated that he or she wants to make a donation;

(2) By blocking the path of the person being solicited along a sidewalk or street;

(3) By following the person being solicited after they have walked away;

(4) By using profane or abusive language, either during the solicitation, or following a refusal;

(5) By soliciting in a group of two (2) or more people; or

(6) By any statement, gesture, or other form of communication by which a reasonable person in the situation of the person solicited would perceive to be a threat.

(Ord. No. 03-81, § 1, 4-15-03)

Sec. 20-71. – False or misleading solicitation.

(a) Any person who knowingly makes any false or misleading representation in the course of soliciting a donation or begging for alms is guilty of a misdemeanor. False or misleading representations include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Stating that the donation is needed to meet a specific need, when the solicitor already has sufficient funds to meet that need and does not disclose that fact;

(2) Stating that the donation is needed to meet a need which does not exist;

(3) Stating the solicitor is from out of town and stranded when that is not true;

(4) Wearing a military uniform or other indication of military service, when the solicitor is neither a present nor former member of the service indicated;

(5) Wearing or displaying an indication of physical or mental disability, when the solicitor does not suffer the disability indicated;

(6) Use of any makeup or device to simulate any deformity; or

(7) Stating that the solicitor is homeless, when he or she is not.

(b) Any person who solicits a donation stating that the funds are needed for a specific purpose and then spends the funds received for a different purpose is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c) This section establishes a single offense. Evidence, which establishes that the defendant violated the section, is sufficient for conviction and need not establish which subdivision was violated.

(Ord. No. 03-81, 4-15-03)

Sec. 20-72. – Privilege license required.

(a) No person shall beg or solicit alms for personal gain without first registering and obtaining a panhandler privilege license issued by the tax department. A person who has registered and who has been issued a panhandler privilege license shall keep it displayed on his or her chest, hanging from a lanyard or clipped to their garment, so that the name, type of license and date of expiration is visible at all times while begging or soliciting alms for personal gain and shall show it to any law enforcement officer or tax collector immediately upon request. No person whose panhandler’s privilege license has been revoked shall beg or solicit alms for a period of two (2) years following the date of the revocation. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) The city tax collector’s office shall issue a panhandler privilege license, without fee, to any eligible person (a person shall be deemed eligible once they demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the tax collector, their ability to satisfy the requirements for licensure as are spelled out in this chapter) who comes to the city tax collector’s office and presents a picture identification issued by NCDMV and one (1) other form of identification.

(c) A person is not eligible for a panhandler privilege license or renewal of a panhandler privilege license if within the most recent five-year period:

(1) The tax collector has received information from the executive officer to the chief of police that the person has two (2) or more violations of this chapter;

(2) The tax collector has received information from the executive officer to the chief of police that the person has been convicted of two (2) or more offenses under the law of any jurisdiction which involve either misdemeanor or felony assault, communicating threats, or illegal use of weapons; or

(3) The person otherwise does not qualify for a privilege license in accordance with this chapter.

(d) The panhandler privilege license shall display the essential rules and regulations of this chapter. Such rules shall serve as a compliance guide for the licensee.

(e) Any person who makes any false or misleading statement while applying for a panhandler’s privilege license under this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon receipt of information of such a violation, the tax collector shall decline to issue a privilege license to the offending applicant or shall revoke the license of the offending licensee.

(f) If a person applies for or is issued a privilege license under this chapter and the tax collector receives information that the person has violated any provision of this chapter, the tax collector shall decline to issue or shall revoke, respectively, that person’s privilege license for a period of two (2) years.

(Ord. No. 03-81, § 1, 4-15-03; Ord. No. 04-84, § 2, 6-15-04; Ord. No. 06-119, § 3, 6-6-06; Ord. No. 10-120, § 2, 8-17-2010; Ord. No. 10-137, § 1, 9-7-10)

Sec. 20-73. – Violations.

Any violation of this article shall be a misdemeanor and may be enforced by any one (1) or more of the remedies authorized by the provisions of G.S. § 14-4 or G.S. § 160A-175. A police officer observing a violation of this article shall confiscate the panhandler privilege license and return it to the tax department. The licensee may appear before the tax collector and show cause, to the satisfaction of the tax collector, why the license should not be revoked.

(Ord. No. 03-81, § 1, 4-15-03; Ord. No. 06-119, § 4, 6-6-06)

# # # # #

This replaces an outdated post of the same name.

Officials trying to curb the number of panhandlers in downtown Greensboro are passing out fliers suggesting what to do if a panhandler approaches.

>> Read all of “Panhandling Fliers Handed Out in Downtown Greensboro” and view video on Fox8.

The story mentions nothing about alcoholism and drug addiction, which are far and away the top reasons people panhandle. But IRC Director Liz Seymour responded to my previous inquiry (following this post) with assurances that the center’s street outreach team will be addressing the addiction issue and providing help to those who’re interested in recovery.

“For the love of God people, stop giving money to drunken panhandlers. These panhandlers are alcoholics and drug addicts. The money you give them will only go towards more alcohol and drugs, enabling their disease. With your money, these panhandlers will spend the rest of the day drunk, harassing other people, and interfering with other homeless people who are actually making attempts to get off streets.”

Some of Kevin’s FB friends were offended by his perspective and commented to tell him so. But Kevin told them that he knows what he’s talking about:

“Both of my grandfathers were alcoholics, I became homeless the first time at the age of 21, and have been in and out of homelessness the past 29 years. I have known more drunks and addicts than you’d ever imagine. I’ve witnessed people die from their addictions…”

And he speaks truth:

“There is sympathy for people hurting and struggling. But in your sympathy for them you have to maintain your objectivity. If someone was displaying suicidal tendencies and then they asked to borrow your gun, you wouldn’t really let them have it would you? Caring for, caring about others is more than just giving in to their wants and desires. Alcohol is slowly but surely killing these panhandling drunks, and as much as it alleviates their immediate pain and desires, giving them access to more drink is not doing them any favors.”

I talked to a crack addict the other day who hasn’t let the 100°F heat discourage him from flying a sign. It makes me frustrated. And sad. I love the addicts and alcoholics in my life, but I hate addiction. Everyone has their own path to recovery and I pray for them to find it. But I will not fund addiction. As Kevin says, it’s like handing a loaded gun to someone who’s trying to commit suicide.

Since late June, an IRC “street team” of staff and volunteers has been telling panhandlers about the services they offer, including job postings, resume building, job interview coaching and computer and telephone access.

Read the article: “Greensboro Group Wants Less Panhandling, More Shops Downtown – WGHP”

When a police officer friend stopped by, he agreed with me, and later sent me a copy of the relevant portion of the amended ordinance, which is already in effect. For the benefit of my sign-flying friends who read this blog and aren’t sure, here’s the wording of that portion of the ordinance — and yes, it is already in effect:

Greensboro City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 20 – PEDDLERS, SOLICITORS, ETC. >> ARTICLE IV. – PERSONS BEGGING OR SOLICITING ALMS FOR PERSONAL GAIN >>

Sec. 20-72. – Privilege license required.

(a)

No person shall beg or solicit alms for personal gain without first registering and obtaining a panhandler privilege license issued by the tax department. A person who has registered and who has been issued a panhandler privilege license shall keep it displayed on his or her chest, hanging from a lanyard or clipped to their garment, so that the name, type of license and date of expiration is visible at all times while begging or soliciting alms for personal gain and shall show it to any law enforcement officer or tax collector immediately upon request. No person whose panhandler’s privilege license has been revoked shall beg or solicit alms for a period of two (2) years following the date of the revocation. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor.

» Click here to read all the sections of Greensboro’s panhandling ordinance. There have been changes, so it’s good to re-read it from time to time.

Ok, so what’s the difference between a Panhandler and a Beggar? Well, to my mind there is a difference. The panhandler is stationary, his technique involves picking one place to sit or stand while waiting for you to pass by. The beggar is on the move, his technique involves finding one in the area most likely to buy his pitch. The panhandler works on the odds that a certain percentage of the entire population will walk by him, and throw something into his pan/hat/cup/palm. The beggar is more aggressive, and more cunning; he is the tiger on the prowl, looking for the weak and the young.

Why do they beg or panhandle? Drugs…

Greensboro police last week stepped up loitering enforcement and effectively cleared the place known as “The Block.” Just like that.

Through a series of 30-minute patrols, officers shooed away the clusters of mostly men who routinely gather at the notorious hangout near the corner of South Elm and Eugene streets.

People who live in the neighborhood see The Block as a blight and a nuisance, if not a danger.

The owners of a nearby convenience store also blame The Block for panhandling, theft and fights on their premises. “If we only call the police once or twice in a day, that’s a lucky day,” the manager of the FastServ at Elm and Eugene, Sun Post, told the News & Record’s Lorraine Ahearn last week.

Ron Surgeon, who once owned a McDonald’s franchise at the same location, voiced similar concerns eight years ago.

What took the city so long?

The groups who congregate there also tend to be clients of the Greensboro Urban Ministry’s soup kitchen and homeless shelter, as well as the HealthServe clinic. Most of them are addicted, unemployed or otherwise down on their luck.

The Block, of course, is only a symptom of other, tougher problems: homelessness, drug abuse (especially crack cocaine) and the state’s failed mental health reform efforts, to name a few.

The opening of a revamped, county-funded substance-abuse treatment center on Wendover Avenue has been helpful but provides very limited bed space for crack addiction.

A planned new homeless day center at Murrow Boulevard and East Washington Street also should help. The county commissioners’ pledge last week of $275,000 to help pay for the project should now allow construction to move forward.

The Block seems to have been around forever. But it drew renewed attention during a recent debate over the placement of artistic benches along a leg of the Downtown Greenway that passes through the area. Residents of the neighboring Warnersville community complained that the benches only made a bad situation worse, attracting more drug use, vagrancy and “lewd acts.”

As the greenway project expands, says one advocate for the homeless, Michele Forrest, expect more harsh realities to be exposed to plainer view. A homeless camp in the Freeman Mill Road area lies in the path of the next leg of the greenway, she says.

As for the benches, they eventually were removed, though some people disputed allegations that they attracted unsavory behavior.

No one disputes the existence or impact of The Block.

Residents have a right to expect to live free of the daily nuisances, and worse, that came with it. But enforcement won’t succeed in the long run without sustained attention to what drives people to street corners in the first place.

Until that happens, they simply will create a new Block somewhere else.

I usually just quote and link, but this time I’m reprinting the entire editorial. Sometimes older N&R links expire, and this a really good editorial, so I want to make sure I have copy of it.

Be sure to click through to the original, though, for the comments.

NOTE: The editorial says: “The groups who congregate there also tend to be clients of the Greensboro Urban Ministry’s soup kitchen and homeless shelter…” This is incorrect. While the guys on the block do eat at Potter’s House (soup kitchen), none of them stay at Weaver House (homeless shelter). Greensboro Urban Ministry has a strict policy that any shelter guest found hanging out on the block gets kicked out. You won’t find shelter guests on the block.

Allen writes in response to the heavily restrictive changes to the city’s panhandling ordinance, which have made it illegal to panhandle almost everywhere downtown, and have limited panhandling throughout the city. Allen talks about why he has mixed feelings about panhandlers.

It’s an open, honest, thought-provoking piece. Worth a read.

P.S. I wonder how my friend Vincent feels about being the poster guy for ending homelessness. That’s a lot of pressure to put on one person. Especially one who was on the street for so many years and is now trying to work through his issues and do his recovery. Keep doing the next right thing, my friend. Ignore the spotlight and look straight at the Son. Amen.