Selectmen Provide Update On Greenwich Panhandlers

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Board of Selectmen last week gave an update on panhandling in town, and while posted signs have helped alleviate the problem, First Selectman Fred Camillo said the issue hasn't been completely resolved.

Over the summer, the town received complaints about panhandlers near the I-95 exit 5 entrance and exit ramps in Riverside, and at exits 2 and 3.

Greenwich installed signage, similar to what Stamford has done, that instructs people to donate their money to various social services and human services organizations, and advises panhandlers to call 211 and/or go to the city's website, assuming they have access to the internet, for help.

"The signs have helped, but as we expected, it has not completely solved the issue, but it's going in the right direction," Camillo said during the board of selectmen's regularly scheduled meeting last Thursday. "This is going to be a constant conversation."

Camillo said that the Greenwich Department of Human Services has repeatedly sent people out to panhandlers, but every attempt to get them help has been rejected. Job offers have even been rebuffed.

Residents should not give money to panhandlers, Camillo reiterated.

"When you look at someone panhandling, the first instinct is to give them money. It's a human reaction; we've all done it, we've all gone through it. But the worst thing you can do is give money right now," Camillo said.

He noted that he spoke to Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey, who said the department determined that some panhandlers were engaged in fraud.

"When help is repeatedly rejected, then there's something else going on there. When people stop giving money, that will stop the problem," Camillo said.

In August, the board discussed whether it could come up with an ordinance to control panhandling.

There are more than a dozen municipalities, ranging from Norwalk to New Britain, that have an ordinance in place, all with similar language. Ordinances include fines from $50 up to $250 per offense.

But most towns don't enforce the ordinance, Camillo said.

Camillo explained that panhandlers have the right to assemble and the right to free speech.

Town attorney Barbara Schellenberg told the board that a town paralegal researched panhandling issues, and raised concerns regarding the first amendment.

Schellenberg said the town is looking at current laws that are in effect to see what can be done in terms of enforcement without having to come up with an ordinance.

"I think if we do something it would have to be concrete and public safety related that we can enforce," Camillo said.

Schellenberg said she hopes to provide an update on what other municipalities are doing in the coming weeks.

In August, both Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan and Selectowman Lauren Rabin said they were especially concerned with women and young children with panhandlers who are being exploited.

McGuigan reminded the board last week that the focus should not solely be on the enforcement side.

"There's also the compassion side," she said. "When we see these cases, we also have to make sure that something bigger isn't happening that we should also be keeping an eye on."

McGuigan said she liked the signs that have been installed for panhandlers, and that they seem to be effective.

She mentioned the possibility of installing signage at Greenwich Point to alert residents that passes are not sold at the gate, following the recent town review into gate entry practices.

Camillo said he'd speak with Parks and Recreation Director Joe Siciliano about the idea.

"Any signage we do we'll try and make sure it's appropriate and doesn't pollute the landscape," he said.