Cornelius Johnson was panhandling for about 15 minutes Thursday afternoon when two Evanston Police Department officers approached him at the entrance of Starbucks, 1726 Sherman Ave.
One officer told Johnson he was violating a city law against “aggressive panhandling,” or asking for money within 20 feet of an ATM or bank, or near a train or bus station. Within sight of Starbucks was an ATM.
Many residents give food and money to panhandlers like Johnson but several city groups want that money directed elsewhere.
On Tuesday, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce began promoting a campaign to city officials, police and business owners that informs the public of other ways to help panhandlers.
“We are fortunate (in Evanston) in that we have a great number of resources, such as food pantries and soup kitchens,” said Jonathan Perman, the chamber’s executive director.
Johnson, who lives on the South Side of Chicago, said Evanston is fortunate to have many people willing to give to panhandlers.
“The South Side don’t pay like the suburbs,” he said.
The campaign involves distributing posters and flyers that tell businesses and customers to donate time or money to a list of local charitable agencies instead of giving money to solicitors.
“Instead of giving money directly to panhandlers with these severe alcohol and drug addictions, we think that panhandlers would be better served if people gave their time and money to organizations set to help panhandlers,” Perman said.
Dennis Griffin, a veteran panhandler in Evanston, said he’s worried the campaign will gain popularity and store owners will no longer allow him to stand in front of their businesses.
“The police are trying to get businesses to sign complaints against these people so they can arrest them,” said Griffin. “They hope that (panhandlers) will go out and get a job instead.”
Perman said panhandling is protected by the Constitution but only on public property and within certain distances from store entrances.
Jay Darshane, manager of Burger King, 1740 Orrington Ave., said the situation has improved since 2001, when the city outlawed “aggressive panhandling.”
“Four or five years ago … there were panhandlers in front of every restaurant asking for money, some chasing people down the street,” said Darshane, who has worked at Burger King for 15 years.
Dorothy Adams, assistant manager at Buffalo Joe’s, 812 Clark St., said asking panhandlers to move can lead to tense confrontations.
“We ask them to move and they threaten us sometimes and say things like ‘I’m going to beat your ass after work,'” Adams said.
Griffin and Johnson said they understand why police often ask them to move and that they always comply.
Griffin said he doesn’t go to shelters such as Hilda’s Place, 1458 Chicago Ave., because he dislikes being dependent on them. Johnson said the people at some shelters make him uncomfortable.
Both Darshane and Adams doubt the campaign’s signs will be effective. They said customers have always donated to pan handlers.
But Adams said people are likely give “100 times more money” to a charity than to a panhandler on the street.
“I would prefer (giving to an organization) than giving to (panhandlers),” Adams said. “You just don’t know what they’re actually doing. I think there’s a big percentage that are not homeless, but have an addiction.”
“We want to bring people out of dependency and into independence,” said Perman. “I would think that would be a goal shared by anyone in Evanston.”
Reach Deborah Meron at [email protected].
