L.A.’s Proposed Panhandling Law

Re “Ban Proposed on ‘Abusive’ Pandhandling,” Jan. 29: Panhandling, “abusive” or not, isn’t going to stop just because of a city ordinance against it. Not that the ordinance isn’t a good idea; it’s a fine idea. But a better one would be for all of us to stop giving cash to panhandlers.

I know panhandlers say the money is for food, but my 20 years of experience with the Los Angeles Mission has taught me that it is most likely for drugs or alcohol. In fact, an informal survey of some of the men in our rehabilitation program last year revealed that the money they once panhandled was used to buy drugs or alcohol first, and then food if any was left over.

To quote one of our program graduates, Ezell Williams, panhandling is “street drama.” Respond to it by giving nonperishable food items or fast-food coupons. The control over panhandlers doesn’t rest with the police. Stop giving them cash and maybe they’ll come to us for a long-term solution.

MIKE EDWARDS, President

Los Angeles Mission

* The other day I found myself locked out of my car at a local gas station and a man offered to wash my car windows. While I was waiting for the auto club, we struck up a conversation. Eric was recovering from a bad cold and was trying to earn enough money to pay the $10 necessary to stay at a local shelter rather than spending the night in the rain. During our conversation, we discovered we were both from Wisconsin and talked at length about Green Bay’s road to the Super Bowl.

I feel fortunate that my carelessness with keys slowed me down enough to meet Eric. Given Mayor Riordan’s recent attempt to sweep the poor under the proverbial rug with his aggressive law against panhandling, I can only assume he has never taken the time to realize that the poor are human.

LISA HUMPHREY

Los Angeles