Brochure urges against giving handouts

SEATTLE – A new brochure offering advice on how to deal with downtown panhandlers has not been distributed yet, but it’s already getting mixed reviews. The bottom line from the Downtown Seattle Association: Just say no.

The brochure is still in draft form, but association spokeswoman Anita Woo said it advises people to walk with confidence and politely say “sorry” or “no” when asked for money.

The brochure also provides a list of human-service agencies, suggesting donations as an alternative to rewarding panhandling. It also provides information for the panhandlers, with listings on where and when they can get free meals or other assistance.

Bill Hobson, executive director of the Downtown Emergency Service Center and a member of the downtown group’s human-services task force, said the draft brochure’s content appears reasonable and consistent with his own practices.

Hobson said he almost always informs panhandlers of available services and rarely gives them money. If he senses they are truly hungry, he buys them something to eat.

“I do have a concern that a lot of the money that panhandlers get on the streets ends up being spent on drugs and alcohol,” Hobson said. “I would encourage people instead to give money to organizations that directly serve homeless people.”

Advocates for the homeless are torn, he said.

“Do I really want to advocate for someone’s right to beg when I don’t want homeless people to have to beg? What I want is for them to rediscover and reacquire whatever it is they need to become self-sufficient.”

Another homeless advocate said the brochure – which he had not seen – sounded as though it advises disdain for panhandlers.

“If someone is moved to give money to someone on the street who obviously is not doing very well, then they should do so,” said Joe Martin, a downtown social worker and member of the Seattle Displacement Coalition.

Marji King, 24, who lives in an abandoned building with other homeless people, said much of the money she gets from panhandling goes to downtown businesses through food and coffee purchases.

King recently occupied a downtown corner with a sign that said: “Spare a penny?”

“I don’t ask people for change,” she said. “I hold this sign.”

King said she has been on and off the streets for eight years. “If you see someone who needs help, help them out,” she said. “If you help them out, you won’t see them out on the streets as much.”