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Picking up litter, propping up lives • Virginia Mercury [1]

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Date: 2024-06-20  

Prince William County officials are considering a path few other localities in Virginia have dared to tread: hiring panhandlers to pick up trash and debris instead of soliciting for sawbucks and more on county roads.

Though it might be cumbersome logistically, I hope the county approves the program. More communities should try doing something different, instead of being perennially exasperated at the sight of people begging motorists and pedestrians for money.

A special city task force recently presented a possible project to Prince William’s Board of County Supervisors. The program would pay panhandlers $13 an hour to pick up roadside litter while working two, three-hour shifts a week. I’ve written previously about similar projects nationwide.

A supervisor had asked county staff to report on panhandling at intersections and businesses. Nikki Brown, a county spokeswoman, told me by email Tuesday she didn’t have statistics on how often panhandling occurs there, “but we have received several complaints and anecdotal information from our residents” and county supervisors.

The lack of specifics makes me wonder how bad the problem actually is in the county of nearly a half-million people. But I digress.

Estimates for such a project aren’t complete, nor is it clear who would pay for it. The nonprofit Keep Prince William Beautiful would administer it.

Fairfax County has run a similar program since 2019 called “Operation Stream Shield” that employs homeless individuals to remove litter and non-native invasive plant species in waterways. However, during a brief search, I didn’t find other localities running such projects in Virginia.

A couple of laudable goals in Prince William County’s proposal stand out:

One, the county would direct panhandlers, who are often homeless, to services they need and provide work opportunities. Second, people inclined to give a few dollars to those begging would be urged instead to donate to homeless community partners, who are better equipped to help long term.

Board supervisors will debate the plan in July. They should approve it.

Not only will panhandlers pick up trash for cash; the program could also help them prop up their lives.

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