Descripción

There is an issue of rampant panhandling occurring in many areas throughout Virginia Beach, but it seems to be increasing heavily in the Hilltop area. The attached image shows some areas where panhandlers have been seen multiple times throughout the day, 7 days a week.

Hampton VA recently put out signs on street corners that were common panhandling spots that read "Please don't encourage panhandling! The city and local non-profits help the homeless. Housing Crisis Hotline 757-587-4202"

Virginia Beach should follow suit. The more that the city allows panhandlers to occupy street corners, the more money they will receive from people who have been tricked into thinking that they're doing something nice. Also, it has been the experience of most outreach workers in Hampton VA that the majority of panhandlers are not actually homeless and just profiting and preying on the compassion of others.

I certainly understand that there are people in tough situations that need help and assistance, but encouraging panhandling is not going to provide any sort of solution for these people. The longer that this problem continues to persist in this form, the worse it will be, and the folks that are truly in need of help will continue to be neglected. People assume only the desperate people are the ones panhandling when it seems to be the exact opposite. The desperate ones are in shelters or seeking other help, while the scammers and lowlives are the ones shaking a sign on the corners.