GRANTS, N.M. – Every year individuals, patrons of local businesses, and visitors give thousands of dollars to panhandlers. Giving directly to panhandlers does not provide long-term solutions to homelessness, according to local officials. Instead, panhandlers negatively impact economic development and the quality of life of those living, working, and visiting in the city of Grants commented several residents.
During a recent city council meeting the subject of panhandling in Grants was discussed when Aaron Dean, commander of the American Legion Post 80 in Grants, told the council that many of the panhandlers are claiming to be veterans as part of their pleas to get people to give them money.
“I have asked at least ten of them to show me proof that they are a veteran and only one could show me his DD-214,” Dean said. “One of the panhandlers told me he does it because it’s easy pickings.”
Dean said that he wants to push the issue about those who are not veterans but are claiming that distinction. He believes what they are doing is a form of stolen valor or at the very least it results in defrauding the public of their money.
City Manager Laura Jaramillo said that the City of Grants does not have a panhandling ordinance and the issue of panhandling has come up a few times in the past.
“I have researched it a few times and our attorneys have told us that the ACLU [American Civil Liberties Union] will come out and stop the city if we try to stop panhandling,” Jaramillo said. “I was told it’s discrimination against the homeless and individuals that are poor.”
Jaramillo said the city cannot put up “no loitering” signage in the areas where the panhandling is taking place because the city does not own those properties.
“It is something we will continue to work on to see if we can come up with something that will be allowable by all these protection groups that look out for people’s rights,” Jaramillo said.
Grants Police Department Chief Steve Chavez said panhandling is not an arrestable offense unless those involved are disturbing the peace.
“There has been discussion of having the panhandlers get a permit to panhandle to help regulate it,” Chavez said. “Overall, I don’t think we have a huge problem with it.”
Chavez said if the panhandlers are using means of deception or trickery to obtain monies from the public then it becomes an issue of fraud.
“If someone is being aggressive or disruptive then call us and we can deal with that,” Chavez said. “People either have a heart to give or they don’t, and it’s not up to us to dictate for them to do that.”
Many panhandlers across the community:
• are not homeless; panhandling is their profession
• claim to be veterans but are not
• prey upon community members’ sympathies
• use money for drugs or alcohol and do not use money for basic needs Guidelines for re
Guidelines for responding to panhandlers
When dealing with panhandlers, community members can protect themselves by taking the following steps:
• Answer requests for money with a firm “no.”
• Treat homeless individuals with respect, realizing that only a small portion of panhandlers are homeless.
• Offer information on where they can get help. • Make donations to
• Make donations to organizations that have a proven track record of helping the homeless.
• Contact your city council representative about your concerns.
• Do not give money or food.
• Do not allow anyone to camp or loiter on your property.
• Do not allow anyone to store shopping carts, bedding or other personal belongings on your property.
• Do not assume you are making a difference when you give money to panhandlers.