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| Panhandling |
| "Can you spare a quarter?"
Familiar words to anyone who shops or walks
about the Westside. How should you react to
someone who poses this question to you? Is
it best to ignore a panhandler or to give
them money?
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| The Santa Monica Police
Department suggests that you consider the
following in an encounter with a panhandler: |
- Any stranger who approaches you on the street should be viewed with caution, regardless of their appearance.
- NEVER display money or
reveal where you keep it to
anyone. Someone asking for
change or another observer may
be tempted to forcibly demand
that you give up all of your
cash.
- ALWAYS report any confrontation that you have with someone who physically or verbally forces you to give them money. Go to the nearest phone and report the incident to the police.
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| If the crime does not constitute a robbery and the police did not witness the incident, you may have to carry out a citizens arrest before the suspect can be taken into custody. In any case, wait for the police to arrive. Anyone who is homeless and needs assistance or anyone who would like to help the homeless should contact an agency that provides direct homeless services. For a list of local agencies, call the
Homeless Liaison Program at (310) 458-8953 or the
Community Relations Unit at (310) 458-8474.
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This page was last modified on
01/26/2008
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