Effective Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, Charleston’s Panhandling Law prohibits panhandlers, charities collecting money, people handing out flyers and basically anyone from passing items out to vehicles in traffic lanes. Panhandling is now punishable by a fine of up to $1,092 or a sentence of 30 days in jail. This new law is supposed to help promote free traffic and the safety of pedestrians near roadways, according to the local police department.
If you live in Charleston, you know it’s not uncommon to see a person on the side of the road with a cardboard sign and a perpetually grim expression walking down a row of stopped cars trying to catch a caring individual’s eyes, mouthing “God bless” to anyone willing to donate at a light. What does it mean for someone who uses this spare change to buy their next meal? Is the 30 days in jail worth it? Many homeless people in our area have not had access to homeless shelters, and the small amount of money they are able to make on the side of the road is necessary to buy their next meal.
I used to go to a high school where the main intersection was always congested with charity workers collecting money. A year later, it was discovered that the whole thing was a scam and the fake charity was pocketing all of the money (and yes, I did donate $10 once). After that I was never too eager to roll down my window and donate. I wasn’t initially upset when I first learned of this new law. In fact I was somewhat relieved that those awkward stoplights of desperately trying not to make eye contact with panhandlers and charity workers were gone.
There are many people who will habitually hand out change at stop lights. Now with the possibility of receiving a $1,092 fine, drivers will hopefully be mindful of this new law. Maybe this law will be able to shine a light on the homeless problem within our community. If anything, maybe it will encourage those who want to help be proactive in a more beneficial way, such as volunteering at a local homeless shelter or food bank. As a community, there is so much more that we can do to help those in need than handing out our spare change at stop lights.
