U. pilots campaign to deter panhandling

The University of Pennsylvania Office of Community Relations is leading an effort to educate the University community about panhandling. A new program called Don't Give Change, Help Penn Make a Change was piloted this summer in an effort to discourage students, faculty and staff from giving money to the rising number of panhandlers appearing on campus. The campaign should expand in the fall to become a part of student orientation. Director of Community Relations Glenn Bryan said the program will "provide folks with alternate suggestions for helping panhandlers and homeless." "We've put together this program after a year of study and discussion of what the best solution would be," he said. "It's in collaboration with [the University of Pennsylvania Police Department] and the University City Hospitality Coalition." He said the main goal is to "deter panhandling and make people aware of this growing problem." Campaign posters have been placed in "strategic" places around campus, describing the campaign and providing phone numbers to call for more information or for help. Along with the posters, Bryan said there are pamphlets available in several locations for University community members to pick up and carry with them. The pamphlet, titled Penn Resource Guide to Organizations Dealing With Homelessness, Panhandling, Housing and Hunger, includes a page on the new campaign and provides names and numbers of organizations that deal with these problems. Bryan suggests that people who want to help give money to these organizations instead of to individuals on the street. The pamphlet lists several ways to deal with panhandling, stressing the focus of the campaign -- "you are not helping by giving money." According to Bryan, the money panhandlers receive is most often used for drugs or alcohol, rather than basic necessities. "Some are very clearly just looking for money to live on," he said. "But those cases are very rare and few." Bryan also said that most panhandlers are friendly and not very aggressive. However, students and staff should be aware that some panhandlers may turn aggressive. Bryan said aggressive panhandlers will be handled by the Department of Public Safety. The campaign will expand in the fall when students return to campus. "Part of orientation for students will be information about this campaign," Bryan said. "Hopefully, students, faculty and staff will let us know if it is working." He added that the campaign will take a lot of cooperation by the University community. There has been some talk about the possibility of a new homeless shelter in West Philadelphia, but Bryan said no further plans have been made. He also said that it is important to realize the difference between panhandlers and the homeless. "Many panhandlers actually have a place to live," he said. "But for a segment, panhandling is their livelihood."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.