parking meters for the homeless

Denver is one of the nation’s worst cities when it comes to panhandlers.  Living in the heart of downtown, I can certainly attest to this fact.  I seldom walk more than 2 blocks without being accosted by someone who ‘just needs 53 more cents to catch the bus back to Silverthorn’ or the like. 

I don’t give money to the homeless. 

I prefer to donate to charities (such as the Denver Rescue Mission) who provide more than a 350ml of Wild Turkey in an effort to get someone back on the path to self reliance.

The problem of panhandlers is compounded by the fact that I enjoy hanging out with Greg.  He has a true penchant for actively engaging any stray lunatic who wanders within earshot.

Denver mayor John Hickenlooper to the rescue then, with a new initiative aimed at silmutaneously reducing the  number of panhandlers while supporting groups that constructively fight homelessness.

“Homeless parking meters” are being installed at various locations around town.

The idea is to encourage people to put the money into the parking meters instead of giving to panhandlers. Money raised from the meters will go to organizations fighting homelessness.

Mayor John Hickenlooper said the city’s 10 year plan to end homelessness is working.

“Denver’s 10 year plan to end homelessness, what we call Denver’s road home, has really become a national model,” Hickelooper said. “I think we’ve had the greatest success in getting the whole community to buy in, to believe this is something we can tackle as a community.”

via Cbs4Denver.com