It’s about more than just homelessness

Panhandling is more than just a homeless issue – it is a health & safety issue for both the public and the panhandlers themselves.

Safety for the Panhandler

Have you ever been approached by panhandlers who solicit from the side fo the road or from the medians?

While meant to be kind offers from caring citizens, money offered to panhandlers who choose locations such as these present a danger to the panhandlers and to the driving public. Drawing panhandlers directly into the dangers of traffic have resulted in serious automobile accidents.

Safety for the Public

In addition to the dangers presented by panhandlers in traffic, some individuals have felt threatened by panhandlers.

Generally, there are two types of panhandling: passive and aggressive. Passive panhandling is soliciting without threat or menace, often without any words exchanged at all–just a cup or a hand held out.

Aggressive panhandling is soliciting from certain locations (such as ATM machines), coercive solicitation with actual or implied threats, or solicitation through menacing actions.

In some cases, panhandlers who use physical force or extremely aggressive actions may actually be charged with robbery.

Panhandlers who threaten the public and our visitors’ safety will not be tolerated, and the Anchorage Police Department will respond.