YOU DON'T NEED TO BE IN POSITION OF POWER TO OFFER ADVICE ON HOMELESS

Peter Ripley,
Publisher

Recently, someone posed a question to me, if I was sitting on the Port Angeles city council, would I support a ordinance to ban panhandling, or greatly limit it? As some of you are aware I tried running for city council several times, and failed at it. Sort of like asking a woman out for a date, and she keeps rejecting you, you start the get the message it's not going to happen. But that is neither here or there. So, the question raise kinda took me off guard a little at first. I kinda felt I had to give an explanation of my comments made in Saturday's edition of the "Port Angeles Digest" a posting I post which talks about local issues. Since I know some of you are just itching for a quick response to the question posed, I am including it in what normally be just business and finance news on Monday's, which kinda make sense in away. After all we are dealing with an issue that can effect all of us, because of financial hardships many in the community faces, to a point which they quickly find themselves homeless. This is stemming from a local ordinance which is being talked about in regards to the aggressive panhandlers, who been harassing area businesses, and their customers. The question raised suggested to me they were assuming a complete ban on panhandling is on the table, and that's not true, the one posed is limiting the areas of the city for panhandling to take place.
But, since I'm not on the city council, nor have the desire anymore to serve on the council or any exalted position, my answer is all hypothetical at this point. The person also asked how I would make policy to weed out the "wolves" from the sheep. Meaning, setting in motion elements that may assist in ridding the imposture homeless people who are pretending to be homeless too milk money from unsuspecting folks who only want to show some Christian charity.  
On policy two folded: 1) I would support a policy that has "safe" zones for panhandlers to be in, that is something the proposed ordinance I think is doing. 2) Secondly, this might be a little extreme and might sound heartless, but keep in mind this is to weed out the frauds and leeches who prey on the innocent givers. That is impose a small panhandler permit, something they could easily afford, since many I have been told make roughly $50 to up to $300 a day in panhandling activities. I think having them give a little back from what they took would be a start, let's say $3.00 a year to panhandle, much like what peddlers have to pay on an annual basis, something I might add is being done in other communities by the way.
I would imagine the con artist wouldn't like that prospect, and could be easily identified. I bet you would see a sudden drop of these aggressive panhandlers.

Now, this isn't policy, but a message to the folks who want to show some charity to the needy, some plain old common sense could be applied on giving. Yes, according to scripture those of us who walk in the cause for Christ are to give to whoever ask. That doesn't mean however that we give blindly I think. Just make it a personal policy, whenever someone comes up and ask for a couple of bucks for some food. Instead of just giving someone you don't know $2.00 which they may have more money in the pocket already from asking anyone prior to asking you, simply offer to take them to a grocery or food mart store and buy food for them. It's the old saying "beggars can't be choosers" someone who is really in need will accept the offer and go along with you to buy some food for them. Those who insist in getting cash won't, and usually decline the offer. Nine out of ten, the chances are they were just con artist milking you out of money in order to get some smokes, booze, or drugs.

See, aren't you grateful I am not in a position of authority? I'm sure the powers that be could come up something like what I suggest if they have the courage to do so. ----Now back to our regularly scheduled report....

Related story:

Officials propose requiring permits for panhandlers

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL

What Is a Saint?
Are you a saint? What is a saint? Some people believe that a saint is a Christian who has died and been officially recognized by a church so people can pray to him. Or we may hear people say, "Well, I'm no saint," meaning they are not sinlessly perfect. But what is a saint according to the Bible?----Gospel Way