Re: Panhandlers

I got this email today from the property manager of the building where I work . . .

Dear Tenants:

I wanted to share some information with you so that we can all do our part to help revitalize downtown Cincinnati. I realize that we all have charitable causes that we give to, but there is something that we can each do to try to decrease the number of panhandlers downtown and make this city a more comfortable place to walk around. As a member of the Downtown Cincinnati Inc (DCI) Block Watch Committee, I am urging you all to stop giving money to the panhandlers. If you want to give money, please give the money to the organizations that are trying to provide services to the homeless (I can provide you with names and numbers). I met with the social service outreach worker from DCI and he said that some of the homeless individuals sitting outside our buildings are refusing social services because they make so much money panhandling that they would rather panhandle then get the help they need. This has been a major roadblock for the police, DCI, and other social service organizations trying to improve the streets of downtown Cincinnati.

I sat in a meeting this morning with many other property managers and businesses around downtown and we all vowed to come back and provide our tenants with this message. Please tell your clients and visitors as well. This is a complex problem but please consider this information the next time you give money to a panhandler.

Thanks and please contact me for more information on how you can help the homeless or any other information related to this or other issues downtown.

Regards,
Property Manager

(References to the specific buildings have been deleted. But if you read this blog, you probably already know.)