City discusses panhandling issues during special retreat

At Tuesday’s Bowling Green City Commission retreat, the issue of panhandling was a popular topic of discussion. 

According to Mayor Bruce Wilkerson, city officials have discovered that the vast majority of panhandlers in the city are not actually people in need.

The Mayor says work must continue on the city’s existing statute on panhandling, which prohibits panhandlers from stepping out into traffic and approaching vehicles.

Yet, there’s only so much the city can do after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment protects panhandling. 

"It has become a bigger issue since the court ruling that indicates you cannot prohibit begging in public," said Wilkerson. "The issue we find is that since we are a successful community, then people who are working for a living feel an obligation to help. It also attracts those who want to take advantage of those people with good hearts who want to help."

The Mayor adds that the city must do a better job relaying the message that if you want to help those in need, donations should be made to organizations that assist the homeless, such as the Salvation Army.