Community Pulse: Ban panhandling on medians?

Should the Gilroy City Council adopt a tough ordinance
forbidding panhandling, particularly in roadway median strips?
THIS WEEK’S WEB POLL:

Should the Gilroy City Council adopt a tough ordinance forbidding panhandling, particularly in roadway median strips?

Yes: 9 No: 3

■ Yes. It is difficult to see these unfortunate people, but I always feel worse for the people that travel to Gilroy to shop at the outlets and who might feel obligated or pressured to help them here when, more than likely, they see people as unfortunate where they live.

■ Yes, on the other hand, if the state keeps “borrowing” money from cities to compensate for their budget blunders, our City Council may have to exempt themselves from the panhandling ordinance.

■ Yes! Almost every median in our town has a panhandler.

■ Yes, it’s a nuisance, an eyesore and a major hazard. Sad, but true.

■ Yes. I support helping the homeless and those in need – but there are better ways to help, such as donating to St. Joseph’s Family Center. This panhandling trend is negatively impacting the draw of the Outlets and 10th Street retail — and that is a big problem for our entire community.

■ No. If the City Council made a stringent policy, it would be too difficult to maintain. Harmless panhandling should be second fiddle to hard crime that our police force should be focusing on.

■ Yes. Although my heart goes out to the individuals panhandling – enough is enough. On my way home one day from work here in Gilroy, I was approached 6 times! Two of these were at stoplights. One lady actually got upset with me when I offered her food instead of money. She was holding on to my locked car door and would not let go. This situation was dangerous for her and for me. In the meantime cars were honking because I was holding up traffic.

■ No. I choose to support agencies like St. Joseph’s and the Armory to help the homeless. But it’s up to others if they want to give to panhandlers or not. The homeless are already having a tough enough existence. Why make their lives more miserable?

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