Panhandler Problem: East Brunswick Officials Work To Find Solution

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – A growing number of panhandlers have found their way to East Brunswick, causing concern among residents. Panhandlers can be found across township roads, soliciting donations.

Many community members have contacted the township and council to find a solution to the matter, as they fear it could lead to safety issues.

On Thursday, town officials addressed the issue and said East Brunswick was not an isolated case and that a growing number of panhandlers can now be found across the state.

“Organized groups of individuals are going around the state panhandling. Some are legitimately down on their luck and others are just scammers. The solution to the problem however is not so easy,” officials said

Officials said that neither the township nor any other level of government can enact an ordinance or law that outlaws panhandling.

“Long ago the United States Supreme Court decided that asking for money (panhandling, solicitating, or begging for money) constitutes protected free speech under the First Amendment. As a result, the East Brunswick Police Department can’t arrest or charge individuals who are panhandling nor can we outlaw the practice,” officials said in a Facebook post. “Towns that have run roughshod over panhandlers have been taken to court by advocates for the homeless, at great cost to the resident taxpayers.”

However, the Mayor and Council have assured residents that panhandlers who break the law will be dealt with accordingly. "For instance, a panhandler who walks into the roadway to get money or who walks along the roadway is potentially violating NJSA 2C:33-7 Obstructing Highways and or NJSA 39:4-34-36. These violations may result in summonses being issued to the violator,” officials said.

The East Brunswick Police Department is conducting Directed Patrols to monitor panhandling activities to ensure motorists and panhandlers remain safe while respecting the individual's First Amendment rights.

Officers will also be offering panhandlers information on all social services available from Middlesex County and the State as well as temporary homeless housing.

With the new measure in place, officials said that residents should expect to see progress in the next few weeks. "As you can see, what appears to be an easy problem to solve is actually more complicated and requires a degree of finesse and patience. But the township can assure you we are on top of the problem, within the bounds of the law.”

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