ARLINGTON, Texas—Drivers through Arlington intersections well-known to be frequented by panhandlers have begun to notice signs that read, “Contribute to the solution. It’s OK to say no to panhandling.” Along with this message is a URL to the city’s website for homeless resources.
A photo of one of these signs was recently shared on Arlington Texas Talk, a popular Facebook group for Arlington residents. The post got more than 300 reactions—a lot more that what is seen on other posts shared in the group.
The user who posted the photo mentioned the sign was located at the intersection of North Fielder Road and Interstate 30. In the comments, one user replied that more signs were needed around the city. Others said that panhandling is a business. Most users who commented on the post seemed to be in favor of the signs.
The North Fielder and I-30 sign is among seven sets of new ones installed at different intersections around Arlington in what is a continued effort by the city to curb panhandling.
As a result of anecdotal observations and data from Police Department calls-for-service indicating that previous signs had been successful in reducing panhandling, the city moved forward with the installations of the new signs. Locations were determined based on significant reports of panhandling and requests from the public to install signs, according to a Jan. 28 informal report to city council.
“Cities across the country are struggling with what to do about the fact that people who panhandle present themselves publicly and request assistance, and that can make a lot of non-panhandlers uncomfortable,” said Hannah Lebovits, assistant director of the Institute of Urban Studies and adjunct professor in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Texas Arlington.
“The general discomfort really is with the fact that someone’s asking them for money, and someone seems to be in need and they feel uncomfortable with that, even if that person, you know, might be at a grocery store and might say to them, ‘Do you have some money for me?’” she said.
Since September 2021, the city of Arlington has been monitoring the issue of panhandling through briefings and staff reports from city staff.
In February 2023, the first signs were installed at three intersections known to frequented by panhandlers, according to an informal report presented to city council during the Aug. 22, 2023, afternoon meeting.
Arlington police used traffic cameras at 13 intersections to monitor panhandling, allowing officers to observe infractions remotely and relay information to patrol units. Of 139 related calls, 70% led to police contact, mostly resulting in warnings, with 17 citations and two arrests.
“Cities are trying to find out how to eliminate or prevent panhandling but not do it in an overly restrictive way that opens them up to lawsuits,” Lebovits said.
