A how-to guide for panhandling

It seems more and more people panhandle in Denver these days. You can see them at almost any busy intersection, “flying signs,” as they call it, asking for money.

But panhandling isn’t easy, and it isn’t always legal. Denver has a whole set of rules panhandlers must follow. If you’re thinking about panhandling, learn the law.

Denver prohibits ‘aggressive’ panhandling

Denver does not allow aggressive panhandling. Panhandling is “aggressive” when:

· A panhandler continues to solicit from a person after the person has given a negative response to such soliciting.

· A panhandler intentionally touches or causes physical contact with another person without that person's consent in the course of soliciting.

· A panhandler intentionally blocks or interferes with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means, including unreasonably causing a pedestrian or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact.

· A panhandler uses violent or threatening gestures toward a person solicited.

· A panhandler persists in closely following or approaching the person being solicited, with the intent of asking that person for money or other things of value, after the person solicited has been solicited and informed the solicitor by words or conduct that such person does not want to be solicited or does not want to give money or anything of value to the solicitor.

· A panhandler uses profane or abusive language which is likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction from the person being solicited.

· A panhandler solicits money from anyone who is waiting in line for tickets, for entry to a building, or for another purpose.

No panhandling after dark

Other rules regarding panhandling include:

· No person shall panhandle on private or residential property after having been asked to leave or refrain from panhandling by the owner or other person lawfully in possession of such property.

· No person shall panhandle within 20 feet of public toilets.

· No person shall panhandle within 20 feet of any automated teller machine

· No person shall solicit from any operator or occupant of a motor vehicle on a public street in exchange for blocking, occupying, or reserving a public parking space, or directing the operator or occupant to a public parking space.

· No person shall panhandle in any public transportation vehicle, or within 20 feet of any bus, train, or light-rail station or stop, or within the bus transit lane on the 16th Street Mall, or in any public parking lot or structure.

· No person shall panhandle within six feet of an entrance to a building.

· No person shall panhandle within 20 feet of any pay telephone, provided that when a pay telephone is located within a telephone booth or other facility, such distance shall be measured from the entrance or exit of the telephone booth or facility.

· No person shall solicit or panhandle after dark, which shall mean one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise.

· No person shall solicit or panhandle within 20 feet of any outdoor patio where food or drink are served.

Creating the perfect sign

Several active panhandlers were interviewed for this story. They offered ideas for messages on signs.

Keep your message short and to the point. People are more likely to read and give to a sign that is short and to the point. Avoid long stories or sob stories.

Personalize your sign. If you can, personalize your sign by including your name, why you are panhandling, and for what you will use the money. This will help people connect with you and make them more likely to give.

Be positive. Use positive language on your sign. Avoid using words like "need" or "help." Instead, focus on the positive things you will do with the money, such as "saving up for a new home" or "getting back on my feet."

Be honest. Be honest on your sign. Don't make promises you can't keep, and don't lie about why you are panhandling.

Be respectful. Be respectful to people who choose not to give you money. Don't follow them or beg them.

Signs that aren’t creative don’t bring in many donations, according to several panhandlers interviewed for this story. People are numb to "Homeless and hungry, anything helps." Other ideas for sign messages include:

"Will trade jokes for food."

"I'm not lazy, I'm just on strike from work."

"Will trade witty banter for change."

"Will give you the best high five of your life for a dollar."

"I'm not a beggar, I'm a businessman. I'm selling my time and attention."

"I'm not homeless, I'm just temporarily displaced from my home."

"I'm not broke, I'm just in a cashless society."

"Will give you my best smile for a dollar."

Make sure your sign is easy to read from a distance, veteran panhandlers advise. Keep your sign clean and well-maintained.

Dressing the part

Longtime panhandlers say you want to appear clean, but not too tidy. People will think you’re not homeless.

Stephen E. Lankenau of Drexel University infiltrated the Washington, D.C. panhandling community and wrote an ethnography entitled, “Stronger than dirt: Public humiliation and status enhancement among panhandlers.” Ethnographies are studies by anthropologists of different cultures.

One man interviewed for the ethnography said he likes to look nice, but sometimes it costs him. “They always say, ‘Look at the panhandler—he got a brand new leather coat on’ or ‘Look at the panhandler—he got a brand new pair of shoes on.’ You know, ‘He’s doin’ better than I am, and I’m working full-time.’ But it’s not like that because maybe I’ll panhandle up a new pair of shoes, but it’s not like I got a wardrobe or something like that.”

How to respond to ‘Get a job’

Another of Lankenau’s subjects tell how he answers the age-old remark that panhandlers receive: “Get a job.”

“I say, ‘If you’ve got one for me, I wouldn’t mind workin.’ And if you know anyone that’s got one for me, let me know.’ That’s what I tell ‘em. I don’t get nasty with them. I say, ‘If you know anybody that got one or if you got one, I’ll work.’ There’s a couple of guys that does that every time they see me—older guys. And I say, ‘If you got a job for me sir, I’ll work that job. If you know anyone that got one, I will work.’ And I let it go at that. I don’t get nasty. I don’t take it any further than that. And that surprises them. You know what I’m sayin,’ because the other guys that they say that to—they get nasty with them—'Hey, you this and that….’”

Choose a busy location

Additional tips for flying a sign include:

“Choose a busy location. The more people you can see your sign, the more likely you are to get donations.

“Make eye contact with people. This will help you connect with them and make them more likely to give you money.

“Smile and be friendly. People are more likely to give money to someone who is friendly and approachable.

“Be prepared to answer questions. People may ask you questions about why you are panhandling or for what you will use the money. Be prepared to answer these questions honestly and respectfully.”

What to expect while panhandling

Here are some of the most common attitudes that people have towards people who fly signs:

Compassion: Some people feel compassion for people who fly signs. They may believe that these people are just down on their luck and need help. They may donate money or offer other forms of assistance.

“: Some people feel disgusted by people who fly signs. They may believe that these people are lazy or dishonest. They may avoid eye contact or make rude comments.

Fear: Some people feel fear when they see people who fly signs. They may be concerned about their safety or the safety of their children. They may avoid these people or cross the street to avoid them.

Indifference: Some people are indifferent to people who fly signs. They may not care about these people or their situation. They may simply ignore them or keep walking.

Panhandling with children problematic

Longtime panhandlers say it’s not a good idea to panhandle with children. It can be dangerous.

Some people may believe that you are exploiting your children. They could be exposed to violence on the street. Also, children can dart into traffic.

Pets, on the other hand, frequently encourage donations. People may just like animals and connect with the homeless person on that level. Or they may feel sorry for the animal and want to donate money for food. Others view a homeless person with a happy, well-cared for pet as someone who demonstrates responsibility.

Regular donors form bonds with panhandlers

One man explains why he panhandles. “(Having no friends)—that’s my problem. I just lost my mother recently and my father—my people. They’re all my friends (his regulars). They don’t know it. They’re like a family—they’re all I have. They really don’t know that. They are my friends, my family, because I don’t have a family. They don’t realize how much they mean to me. It’s more than just the change. At times, it’s lonely, you’re by yourself, and they are my family.”