Salem-Keizer Residents Getting Fed-Up With Panhandlers

Authorities say the ever increasing number of individuals standing on street corners and off-ramps throughout the mid-valley begging for money is becoming a clear and present danger to their and the motoring public’s safety.

(SALEM) - No matter where you travel in Oregon, from Portland south to Ashland, or east to Ontario, or north along the Oregon Coast, somewhere along the way, you will run into an individual standing at an off-ramp or street corner holding a sign asking you to give them any spare change you may have.

For most, these individuals are an eye sore, but homeless rights activists say it’s their right.

Either way you look at it, the problem in Oregon is spiraling out of control, and for authorities and state and local leaders, the Oregon Supreme Court has tied their hands.

Sgt Brian Prevett, who is in charge of the downtown Salem patrol team, deals with many of the panhandlers downtown on a day-by-day basis says the law is fairly clear in that panhandling is constitutionally protected and any law or ordinance against it would violate the Oregon constitution.

Prevett says however that the community is somewhat to blame for the growing problem is the Salem area.

He said people in the community give freely, which speaks very highly of the citizens of Salem.

However, panhandlers often use the money to purchase drugs or alcohol instead of food or clothing as was intended.

Keizer police Sgt. Jeff Isham said on the surface, this appears to be a safety problem for a few reasons.

“The first being that many of these folks look a little rough around the edges and don’t appear to be all that friendly."

"The second concern is them wandering off of the sidewalk or roadside to walk into traffic and meander around the cars finding those who wish to give money. Even though most of these folks appear to be rough around the edges, most of them stay on the sidewalk and don’t hassle the public."

Isham says it can get ugly, "However, I have been at a few intersections where they have been yelling at people in the cars and even fighting between each other over whose corner it was to work."

The biggest concern according to Isham, is panhandlers getting out into traffic because they see someone reaching into their pocket to donate money to them. "If they stayed up on the curb or out of the roadway, it wouldn’t be as big of concern."

"There will be transients that are passing through the area, who decide to stay and panhandle since others are allowed to do the same. If the problem isn’t addressed, we can only suspect that it will get worse” Isham said.

James Q. Wilson and George Kelling developed the `broken window' thesis to explain the signaling function of neighborhood characteristics.

This thesis suggests that the following sequence of events can be expected in deteriorating neighborhoods.

Evidence of decay (accumulated trash, broken windows, deteriorated building exteriors) remains in the neighborhood for a reasonably long period of time. People who live and work in the area feel more vulnerable and begin to withdraw.

They become less willing to intervene to maintain public order (for example, to attempt to break up groups of rowdy teens loitering on street corners) or to address physical signs of deterioration.

Sensing this, teens and other possible offenders become bolder and intensify their harassment and vandalism.

Residents become yet more fearful and withdraw further from community involvement and upkeep.

This atmosphere then attracts offenders from outside the area, who sense that it has become a vulnerable and less risky site for crime.

Marion County Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Rau said as long as a person is not affecting the flow or traffic (i.e.: on the shoulder or in the lane of traffic) or in a center median, such as at Silverton Road and Lancaster Drive. There is no Marion County ordnance or state law that prohibits them from doing it.

Oregon State Police spokesman Gregg Hastings said it is becoming more and more difficult to find a freeway off-ramp (or on-ramp with freeway access controlled periodically by traffic control devices) where someone is not holding a sign soliciting money, food or something else.

Hastings says the law prohibiting this activity was declared unconstitutional in Oregon several years ago.

"The best advise I can give if Oregonians who want this kind of activity to stop is to ignore these individuals."

If someone becomes aggressive such as stepping in front of the vehicle or banging on windows, report this to local law enforcement immediately because this could be considered disorderly conduct, Hastings said.

An unscientific tally on Friday of panhandlers in the Salem-area by Salem-News.com found 15 standing at intersections, highway and freeway off-ramps, and outside major department and grocery stores such as Wal-Mart and WINCO.

One couple outside Wal-Mart in south Salem held a sign that read “Bet you can’t hit us with a dollar”.

Margaret Anderson of Salem said, “It’s sad that young people are sitting outside a store begging for money, when they should be either in a college classroom or out looking for a job.”

Republican State Representative Vicki Berger of Salem said the Legislature may have to bring the issue up during the next session.

However, with the Oregon Supreme Court ruling on panhandlers, Berger admitted it will be an uphill fight to find a solution to the problem.

Homeless advocates say the panhandling issue has become such a big problem because the state for the past several years, has not been able to come out of economic slump, making jobs, even minimum wage ones, tough to come by.

Oregon’s meth epidemic, along with the increasing numbers of individuals seeking treatment for alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions isn’t helping either.

Matt Jones of Silverton said, “I hate to see people giving them money. Don’t they realize that a majority of them are just going to spend that money on drugs or alcohol? It is no wonder why this state seems to spend so much money on drug and alcohol addiction programs.

Two panhandlers, sitting at the Mission Street/Highway-22 off ramp at Lancaster Drive told me they make anywhere between $50 and $100 per day depending on traffic and people's moods.

“Figure it out. If I stand here and make say only $20 a day, that's $140 dollars a week with no taxes. So with good days, and some bad days I figure I make about, or a little more each year than the guy working at McDonalds for minimum wage.”

I told them their sign read that they were willing to work for money or food. They said “That’s the hook. People don’t want to give us work or food so they throw change out to us and that’s what it all about.”

They said “yeah there are more and more of them everyday it seems. Guess they figure that the money here is good.”

When asked how they feel about the fact that people's opinions might change after they read this, their response was quite simple. “Newspapers, television and radio stations all over the country have done stories on the homeless who are out panhandling and they haven’t yet stopped giving us money, so I don’t think another story by you is going to change their minds. Oh sure they are going to be outraged for a little bit, but that will pass, and we will be here gladly accepting their donation.”

Both men were very well spoken and seemed somewhat educated so I asked them how much education they had.

Both had a high school diploma, and came from a relativity normal up-brining. When I asked them if either of them had trouble with drugs or alcohol, they wanted to change the subject.

I then asked them what they thought Salem-area residents have given to panhandlers.

"Well for the most part we are a pretty tight nit group.” They said. A lot of us sleep together in camps throughout the area, and talk about the money we have made.

They guessed that in the past year, residents have given close to half a million dollars to panhandlers.

Salem-News.com Top Stories

2025: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

Two Wars with No Way Out

No One Owns the Future

The Ugly Origins of Trump's America First Policy

A One-State Solution Could Transform the World

Comments Leave a comment on this story.

All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.

Joey Illuminati September 8, 2006 6:24 pm (Pacific time)

Al, The CIA cannot give up distributing drugs for shadow Government funding! Who's going to pay for all the underground cities they're building to house the aliens?

Albert Marnell August 29, 2006 3:57 pm (Pacific time)

Billy, Your determination is impressive. I agree that certain organizations are the first line of defense against human suffering and as places to try to rebuild life. Places like the Salvation Army do a great job. Not everyone is as determined as you or as honest with themselves. The U.S. government via organizations like the C.I.A. are the biggest enablers by distributing heroin, cocaine, alchohol and God only knows what else. Our government has created substance problems and should solve it. If you are able, watch the documentary "The Truth and Lies of 9/11" before you continue to vilify the people such as yourself who know what it is to hit bottom. The documentary is available for free on the internet with just a simple search. In the meantime, I wish you all of the best that you have inside yourself and then some! You should be proud that you have worked so hard against such a powerful devil and see results and satisfaction (we know it is not easy.)

Billy August 29, 2006 12:09 am (Pacific time)

Albert, I "suffer" from 9 (yes, NINE)seperate disorders, chemical imbalances and other afflictions. I SEE THE BROKEN EVERYTHING, I live it. I have a hard time waking up every morning sometimes, and wanting to go on other times. But it isnt a matter of toughing it out, or manning it up. It is a matter of eating, and having a place to sleep and a safe place to work on healing. The real necessities. All of your pity does NOTHING if it is contributing to the addictions and disorders that a vast majority of these specific people have. You sir, are apparently an enabler. When I am broke, which is more often than not, I do what I have to to get fed and sleep. I work when I can, and when I can't I get help from good agencies in the area such as the Salvation army, etc. These places need support to provide the services they do, and the services they provide are excellent. For every dollar some well-intentioned doo gooder hands one of these people holding signs, that is one less dollar going into a worthwhile trusting orginization. Places that make sure the person EATS, not drinks the help, SLEEPS, not shoots up under the roof over their head. These people give others a bad rep, and it hurts society as a whole. But hey, you do what you do, nobody can tell you what to do with your money. I choose to live smart, spend smarter, and when I have extra money, rarely, I give back to the places that have really helped me in a pinch. They have, I can say with a certainty, saved my life, and probably a few others around me. Not some do-gooder trying to make himself/herself feel better by enabling a drink, a toke, a line, by giving an easy buck. It has nothing to do with earning, and all to do with putting the money where it really can make a difference. Those places run all kinds of need programs, housing assistance, food vouchers, temporary lodging, work trianing, on and on. And also ADDICTION recovery. From being one who has actually lived it, felt it, done it I know first hand that those signs are an answer to nothing. Giving to good local homeless charities and the like are, or starting your own grassroots helping of the same sort. Not the quick non fix.

bamboozler August 28, 2006 11:45 pm (Pacific time)

I've been in cities were crippled beggars pushed themselves around on creepers, believe me begging is a different thing in other parts of the world! dp

Albert Marnell August 27, 2006 8:23 pm (Pacific time)

Anonymous, They? They? They? You may have honed in on a few opportunistic people or maybe their level of disability is such that they fall short of the discipline and emotional strength to wake up every day, day after day, month after month from at least 9-5. No one ever said that the poor, disabled, unemployable or partially employable have only two choices; a roof or no roof. Who ever said that people who do not do traditional work should be without shelter or even an old white Cadillac? By the way with the price of fuel, and old Cadillac is a poor man's car. No one wants them. They are a liability. You also do not know what are the details of his living arrangments in the RV. He is certainly not in the Taj Mahal. You maybe right or you maybe off target in your assessment. I am more concerned about corporate welfare and wasteful government spending and a million other things that to focus on a man with beer, in an old Cadillac, who lives in an R.V.

Anonymous August 27, 2006 7:47 pm (Pacific time)

The guy in the pictures drives a white Cadillac usually parked nearby. He also has a home in the RV park by Home Depot. Just today we saw him on that same corner pouring a Budweiser into a plastic cup. Does that sound like someone in need? I like beer too, but I'm not going to waste my time and other peoples money trying to look pathetic. These people qualify for food stamps and other benefits, so don't fall for their BS. I have worked and lived in this same area for over 5 years and have known most of these same people on S Lancaster. If they are able to stand on the corner for many hours at a time, they can find some sort of work. They CHOOSE not to.

Albert Marnell August 27, 2006 1:26 am (Pacific time)

Dear Lela, Bingo! Give the Lady a cigar! Albert

Lela August 26, 2006 9:43 pm (Pacific time)

Albert, thank you for your response. I am sometimes so torn when I see the homeless and,yes, tend to at times become judgmental, and out of that my frustration grows because of being unable to help in any real constructive way. Yes, I did hold my granddaughters up as a shinning badge of honor because they have gone through a lot of obstacles to accomplish what they have. I do know that everyone's situation is different and we cannot truely understand unless we walk in their shoes. Thanks for bringing me back to the ground. The only true way to help is give unconditionally but to those organizations that are there specifically to help the homeless, and be kind to those that have have less and hand out food and clothes, not necessarily money. Thanks, again, for your thoughts and kind words and for little "shake" to bring me back down.

Albert Marnell August 26, 2006 6:34 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Lela, I have read some of your writings and believe that you are a kind person with an honest good heart. Some homeless people can do better but again, "One size does not fit all," and as I said to Billy, "Do not refract other people through the prism of your life." It is so easy to lean toward self-righteous judgements when we have not FULLY walked in another persons shoes. Be happy that your daughters are the way they are but do not use them as a badge of honor to judge others. Neither you, Billy nor I could say with any intelligence that we have these people figured out and understand their internal emotional and physical wiring.

bob August 26, 2006 4:54 pm (Pacific time)

how many of these panhandlers you see are mexicans? something to think about

Big Doug in Salem August 26, 2006 2:05 pm (Pacific time)

Kevin Hays does another outstanding job covering a story that really matters to the Salem community! Thanks for all of your hard work Kevin. You should win another award for this one! Doug Peterson

Lela August 26, 2006 12:00 pm (Pacific time)

Tim, so glad this was covered. I am sometimes guilty of handing out a dollar if someone looks specifically needy, but no more. I was taken aback at a scene under the Marion Street Bridge once, when it looked like a group of homeless people were having a class on what sign to use. They were sitting around in a half circle and one guy was holding up a couple signs and turning them around. It actually looked like a classroom on "How to use signs". They are getting more creative with their signs. What about the one that says, "I'm not going to lie, I just want money for a beer." Unfortunately, our inherent goodness as a human being kicks in and we want to reach out and help,especially if we feel someone needs food or shelter, but it's a shame this attribute is being used against us and treated so shamelessly. I quess if the good citizens in our area just turned their heads the other way and forced the "homeless" to look for money in a more honest way, then the problem will decrease. The fact I see so many young people utilizing this form of obtaining money has me really worried, as I know they are using the money they get for drugs. My 17-year-old granddaughter works for ODOT till school starts to help her family and be able to get her school supplies and clothes. My sixteen-year-old granddaughter is working at Taco Bell to help save money to reach her goal to be able to go to Japan as an exchange student. She plans on continuing to work after school starts and still maintain her 3.5 GPA. Guess it just boils down to "when there's a will, there's a way."

Bill W.. August 26, 2006 9:37 am (Pacific time)

Another great original story by salem-news.com. Straight to the point reporting with NO policital veiws thrown in. This will have the whole town talking. Great job!

Albert Marnell August 26, 2006 4:10 am (Pacific time)

Billy, Most of these people can not be self-sustaining for one reason or another. It is usually not visible because you do not see the broken psychological back. You are making work into a moral issue. Sometimes when people do not work it is because whatever is in their head prevents them from doing so. If you are on a budget, don't give them money but don't think you have them all figured out. Be thankful that you can work. Do not refract other people through your prism.

Billy August 26, 2006 1:30 am (Pacific time)

Anyone who gives anything other than food that can be eaten right away is contributing to the addictions and drug proliferation and related crime and problems that go along with it. A heavy majority of these people are usually just making better money scabbing on society to feed the addictions they have rather than working a taxed job at a real business. I never pay any attention to them anymore. I've heard all the tales too about how they know nobody really makes them work, just hands them free money instead, attempting to make themselves feel better. Come on, think about it. Problem is, you are contributing to the problem instead. Save your money and donate to a red cross or a salvation army, etc instead. The places that actually help the ones who WANT real help, and really need it. I don't give money so some jerk can buy some free pot, booze or heroin. I cant even afford that stuff but I still work. I dont WANT to work, but I do. Because I have to and it is the right thing to do. Living off of other peoples shame and guilt is a sad way to make a living. And it makes it harder for those who truly are in bad shape and need help.

[Return to Top]