The Panhandling "Tax" On Gunbarrel

  • Tuesday, March 20, 2018

I’ve been reading about the panhandling problem in downtown; it is a huge problem in the Gunbarrel area, too.  It’s commonplace to be accosted by panhandlers when walking from your parked car into a commercial establishment.  And often they are aggressive.  I look carefully around my car before getting out, but sometimes someone will be lurking in between cars and come out suddenly.
This has become a quality of life issue; I don’t like being fearful to go about the normal business of living. 

And yes, I do care about people in unfortunate circumstances, but it’s become more and more obvious to me that this is a racket.  I sometimes feel I have to give a little, because I feel intimidated.  I’ve had my path blocked before.  Now I’ve come to view this as a “tax” I pay for going out to the Gunbarrel stores.

I hope the City Council can put some teeth into an ordinance. 

Mary Gardenhire

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