The Panhandling Issue

It's a hot button issue, to be sure. Should the city of Bangor establish an ordinance forbidding panhandling in the city limits? And it wouldn't be banned from Bangor altogether...just in public ways and city streets. You know the people I'm talking about...the ones who stand at the entrances to WalMart and the Mall. Or like the couple I saw the other day standing in that thin median in the middle of Hogan Road.

It's a tough question and is causing a lot of debate around town. Some of these people don't necessarily look like they're desperate enough for money to be panhandling. But who are we to say that? We don't know those people. Some will get belligerent if you politely refuse to give them money. Where's the line that says that's not okay?

I've heard suggestions that, if you really want to help, donate the money to food pantries and homeless shelters. Our friends at the Bangor Daily News have written a great article about this problem. Click here to read it....and then come back here and share your thoughts. How do you think the city should address this growing problem? Just please remember....this is a family site...keep it clean....and respect the opinions of others.