West County Issue: Pushy Panhandlers :...

Kristina M. Pustina Owner, Franky’s Place

A group of us got together with the Police Department and the district attorney’s office to talk about how we could keep downtown friendly, and not have the people who come here, or those of us who live and work down here, have to be confronted by things like that. On the one hand you feel sorry for people on the street, but on the other hand you want to keep things together for business’ sake. We set up a Neighborhood Watch. Now we have foot patrols. But you can’t expect the Police Department to do it for you; they’re overworked and underpaid. It’s been amazing what has happened by the community cooperating together to solve this problem. I hate to have this in print, but six months ago if I walked into the bank, two or three times I might get hit up for money. Now I don’t even have to think about it. Yesterday an elderly lady who comes into my restaurant said, “I just love that new young police officer you have walking the streets.” It is really changing due to cooperation and communication.

Lt. Michael J. Tracy Ventura Police Department

It seems like whenever the matter is brought up in the media, the discussion revolves around issues of homelessness and poverty and usually mental illness. While some of the people who panhandle are homeless or mentally ill, I think it’s pretty clear that the vast majority of homeless don’t commit crimes and that most of the people who are poor aren’t criminals and that very few of the mentally ill people break the law. And while I personally think we do need to spend more money to work on those social ills, despite our best efforts, we’re still going to have beggars. We’ve had beggars for hundreds and hundreds of years. The Police Department’s responsibility is to be in a position to take steps to deal with that problem. I think that’s what we’ve done in downtown Ventura with our foot patrol. We’ve been able to take some affirmative action to make arrests, and I think because of that, we’ve helped to create a safer and more secure environment in downtown Ventura.

Dennis O. LaRochelle Downtown Ventura Assn. member

I don’t know that the problem is as extensive as the question implies. Certainly there is some panhandling downtown. I’m not convinced that it’s substantially greater than other areas of the city. As to panhandling in general, I think the most effective way to deter it is to have a very visible police presence. The Ventura Police Department has been very cooperative in that regard. They’ve re-established foot patrols downtown and they have a special phone number to call if there is a problem. Of course, everybody is grateful for that. The more people there are, the better the lighting, the more traffic, deters panhandlers. I’ve been told that even for the police it is difficult because they’ve arrested panhandlers, and the D.A. refused to prosecute because the panhandler was in a seated position. The law applies if a victim is approached. I think panhandlers have become quite sophisticated on how to do it.

Kevin G. DeNoce Deputy district attorney

The homeless problem is a multi-headed Hydra. People are on the streets for a number of reasons. One, there are those there due to their own fault. There will always be a small segment of your population that just doesn’t buy into society. Historically they’ve been the town drunk or, in the Middle Ages, the wayfarers. No matter how much financial or sociological assistance you give, it’s never going to move them. Two, those on the streets due to substance abuse. Whether the lack of treatment centers contributes to this is an issue I’m not equipped to deal with as a prosecutor. Three, those forced onto the streets due to economic misfortune. The lack of available low-income housing might be considered here. And fourth, those on the streets due to some form of mental illness. Cutbacks in funding for mental health clinics may contribute to this segment. The D.A. does not take the position that all homeless are criminal. We are prosecuting some cases of panhandling if they are accosting citizens.

Richard C. Pearson Executive director, Project Understanding

Panhandling is a demeaning transaction for both the street person and the person approached. We advocate that rather than giving money, the person approached direct the panhandler to available services. With regard to the specific problem in downtown Ventura, I am encouraged by the return to uniformed foot patrol police officers who, because they know the individuals involved, are able to deal with each incident on a case - by - case basis, rather than a blanket arrest or fine policy. My concern is the publicity will do more to hurt the merchants than the panhandlers, because people will be afraid to go downtown. Some of these people are not homeless and some are drug and alcohol dependent. The number of actual homeless persons has been steadily going up for a number of years. The underlying problem is housing costs. Look at a person making $8 an hour. They’re taking home about a thousand dollars a month and 90% of their income goes to keep a roof over their heads.