Banishing Panhandlers: Strategies To Keep Them Away

Panhandlers, or beggars, are people who solicit money from strangers on the street. While some panhandlers may be homeless, not all homeless people are panhandlers. Panhandlers are often simply people who are down on their luck and struggling to get by. Most will leave you alone if you politely decline their request, but some can be aggressive and intimidating when asking for money. There are several ways to deal with aggressive panhandlers, including making excuses, ignoring them, using body language to signal disinterest, or soliciting help from others. Some cities have also implemented programs to discourage people from giving money directly to panhandlers and instead donate to organizations that can better help those in need.

Make an excuse, e.g. Sorry, I don't have any money

If you want to avoid giving money to panhandlers, it's best to be polite but firm. One way to do this is to apologise and explain that you don't have any money to give. For example, you could say, "Sorry, I don't have anything" or "I'd like to help, but I don't have any cash." You could also explain that you're in a rush and don't have time to stop, perhaps by saying something like, "Sorry, I am running late for a meeting."

If you feel comfortable doing so, you could also offer to buy the panhandler a meal or a hot drink, or direct them to a nearby homeless shelter.

Ignore them

Ignoring panhandlers is one way to deal with them, but it can be tricky to do so without causing a confrontation. Here are some tips to ignore panhandlers while still treating them with respect:

• Avoid making eye contact and keep walking if you don't want to interact. If the panhandler is behaving erratically, they may be looking for attention. Put your head down and keep walking as if nothing is happening. However, this may anger the panhandler if they are talking directly to you, so combine this method with a simple apology and excuse, such as "Sorry, I'm late."
• Use body language to signal that you can't talk. When a panhandler asks for money, raise your hand with your palm facing them and shake your head to indicate that you aren't interested in talking. This is a good middle ground between acknowledging and ignoring them.
• Leave space between your car and the car in front if you're at a red light. Slow down as you approach the intersection and leave a gap of 15-20 feet. When the panhandler starts walking through the street, wait for them to pass the car in front of you, then pull up and drive past. They probably won't turn around to approach you.
• Pretend to be on the phone. Even aggressive panhandlers are unlikely to bother you if you're on a call. As soon as you see a panhandler, pull out your phone and pretend to be in a serious conversation. You could even come up with a scenario for your call ahead of time if you're not good at improvising.
• If you're walking, pick up your pace and say you're running late for a meeting. If a panhandler addresses you, keep walking and apologise, saying you don't have time to stop. They probably won't chase you down if they think you're in a hurry.

Remember that panhandlers are often people who are simply down on their luck and will leave you alone if you politely decline their request. However, some can be aggressive and intimidating. If a panhandler won't leave you alone, don't hesitate to contact the police.

Seek help from others

If you are dealing with aggressive panhandlers, it is best to avoid confrontation by soliciting help from others. Panhandlers are people who solicit money from strangers on the street, and they are often simply down on their luck and struggling to get by. However, some panhandlers can be aggressive and intimidating when asking for money. Here are some ways to deal with aggressive panhandlers by seeking help from others:

• Contact law enforcement if the panhandler won't leave you alone. Aggressive panhandling is illegal in most places, so if a panhandler is harassing you, don't hesitate to call the police.
• Inform a nearby business owner of the problem, especially if the panhandler is operating near their store. The business owner will likely want to address the issue as it may be negatively impacting their foot traffic. They may also have experience dealing with that particular panhandler and can offer advice.
• If you feel unsafe, look for a local business or a crowd of people where you can take refuge.
• If you are in your car, slow down as you approach a red light and leave some space between your car and the car in front of you. This will allow you to pull forward and avoid the panhandler if they approach your car.

Remember to treat panhandlers with respect and kindness. Begging for money can be a humiliating experience, and adding to their sense of helplessness by being rude or disrespectful can escalate the situation.

Contact law enforcement

If you are dealing with aggressive panhandlers, it is advised that you contact law enforcement. Panhandling is illegal in almost every country and state. If you are threatened, followed, or yelled at by a panhandler, you should not hesitate to call the police. If a panhandler is operating near a store, you can go inside and ask to speak to a manager. The business will likely have a history of dealing with them and will have an incentive to deal with the issue as it negatively impacts their foot traffic.

If you are in your car and a panhandler is hanging out near a red light, you can slow down as you approach the intersection and leave 15–20 feet (4.6–6.1 m) between you and the car in front of you. When the panhandler starts walking through the street, wait for them to get past the car in front of you and then pull up and past them.

If you are walking, you can pick up your pace and walk a little faster as soon as you see a panhandler. If they address you and ask you for money, you can keep walking and say, "Sorry, I am running late for a meeting." If the panhandler does follow you, look for a local business or crowd where you can take refuge before calling the police.

If you are ever in an unsafe situation, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement.

Offer to help them out later

If you want to avoid a confrontation with a panhandler, you can offer to help them out at a later time. For example, you could say, "I don't have it right now, but I can give you a few dollars next time," or, "Sorry, I don't have any money. I will tomorrow, though." This strategy can be effective because it gives the panhandler hope for financial assistance in the future, which may be enough to prevent them from bothering you further. However, there is a risk that the panhandler may remember you and become confrontational if you do not follow through on your promise.

If you are approached by an aggressive panhandler, it is important to remain calm and respectful. You can try to de-escalate the situation by apologising and maintaining a firm tone, for example, by saying something like, "Sorry, I don't have anything." It is also a good idea to make eye contact and use respectful body language to signal that you are not interested in giving them money. If the panhandler continues to bother you, you can try ignoring them or walking away. However, if you feel threatened or unsafe at any point, you should not hesitate to call the police.

Remember that panhandlers are often people who are simply down on their luck and struggling to get by. While some may be aggressive or intimidating, most will kindly leave you alone if you politely decline their request. It is always a good idea to treat panhandlers with dignity and respect, even if you do not plan on giving them anything.

Frequently asked questions