City leaders say they are cracking down on panhandling, but with a twist: People giving money from their vehicles will be targeted, not the ones asking for spare change.
The city wants to curb what police call a dangerous practice that hurts rather than helps Anchorage's street people.
"We have enforced it in the past, with the panhandlers themselves. It doesn't do much good," Police Chief Mark Mew said. "Giving a panhandler a $50 or $100 fine -- you might as well give them a million dollar fine. It doesn't modify their behavior."
Mayor Dan Sullivan announced Wednesday that the city and several private groups were relaunching a campaign called "Change for the Better" intended to deter panhandling. It first was rolled out seven years ago under the direction of the Anchorage Downtown Partnership and promoted by the Begich administration.
"When residents give panhandlers money, they inadvertently enable the person to continue a dangerous and unhealthy lifestyle," Sullivan told reporters.
Read more: http://www.adn.com/2011/05/04/1845334/anchorage-revives-campaign-to.html#ixzz1LotWgHH4
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