Madison police chief: give to nonprofits, not panhandlers

Madison’s police chief has asked residents to stop giving money to people who ask for it at street corners and busy intersections. He wants them to give to nonprofits that serve homeless people instead.

Police Chief Johnny Gandy made the request in a message titled “We Need to Talk About Panhandlers”, posted Oct. 20 on the City of Madison website.

“The biggest thing you can do to prevent these panhandlers from returning is simply stop funding them,” Gandy wrote.

What the chief said

Gandy said officers find people asking for money across the city, in a different place from one day to the next. He said:

• Sundays are a popular day, because they count on churchgoers passing by.
• The department has recently seen groups posing as churches, wearing traffic vests and walking busy intersections with buckets.
• Officers have seen people drive away, or get picked up by someone else, after they have collected enough for the day.
• Some groups ride a bus from across the country to set up in affluent communities.

In his view, most are not in need, “at least, not in the way they seem.” He said the money can go to alcohol or drugs, or is income people take home tax-free without working. “Make no mistake; they are all competing in the same grift,” he wrote.

The message gives no figures. It does not say how many people officers have found asking for money, or how many complaints the department has received.

What police can and cannot do

Gandy said there is only so much the department can do. On private property, such as a shopping center parking lot, it is up to the property owner to decide whether someone can stay.

Officers can get involved when it becomes a safety issue, he said, such as someone blocking traffic or creating unsafe driving conditions. He asked residents to report those cases on the department’s non-emergency line, which is listed on the Madison Police Department’s page. In an emergency, call 911.

Where the chief suggests giving instead

Gandy said several resources help people who are homeless in the area, “but none are located in the City of Madison.” His message lists these North Alabama organizations:

• Manna House
• First Stop
• Shower Up
• Downtown Rescue Mission
• Rose of Sharon Soup Kitchen
• The Salvation Army
• New Futures Inc.
• United Way
• Community Action Partnership
• Wellstone
• Asha Kiran

What it means for you

• The department is asking you not to hand over cash at intersections or in parking lots.
• If someone is blocking traffic or creating a hazard, call the non-emergency line. Use 911 for an emergency.
• If someone is on a store’s property, it is up to the owner whether they can stay.
• To help people in need, the chief suggests giving to one of the 11 groups above.

For other Madison Police Department news, see our Police and Fire log. For who to call about other city services, see who to call at City Hall.