Signs Discouraging Panhandling Considered In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX, VA — Signs to discourage panhandlers collecting money at Fairfax County intersections received support at the Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17. The committee directed staff to continue working on signs and traffic analysis to determine locations. There was no formal vote, but the Board of Supervisors must vote to approve the signs before they can go up.

The committee looked at a sample sign that includes the county's human services hotline: 703-222-0880. The sample sign's message was similar to signs used in Roanoke City, James City County and Henrico County.

Most supervisors preferred trying out the signs before an ordinance is considered. The change of direction came after the Board of Supervisors directed staff in July to draft an ordinance restricting panhandling at intersections and medians. Attorneys advised the county to tread carefully, since panhandling is protected by the First Amendment, and ordinances in Charlottesville and Henrico were struck down. Attorneys suggested a traffic study to determine areas with safety concerns before developing an ordinance.

Braddock District Supervisor John Cook told the committee panhandling presents safety concerns on the roads. "I don't care who it is, what they're raising money for," he said. "It is a distraction to have someone standing in the street when you're looking to make a turn or go through an intersection, and somebody's walking toward your car."

Board Chairman Sharon Bulova expressed support for a survey to determine who is panhandling in Fairfax County. She said the county should try to curb professional panhandling but "not everyone who panhandles comes under this category."

Protesters at the committee meeting consider panhandling restrictions as having a negative impact on poor people, according to NBC4.

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity said he's spoken with churches and the nonprofit Lamb Center and understands the mix of panhandlers includes people in need.

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Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust supported immediate action on signs but not for an ordinance. "We should try to avoid criminalizing behavior that is not having serious impact on people, not hurting people, and I just think if the signs don't work, re can revisit the ordinance," he said.

Fairfax County provided guidance on responding to panhandling in 2017. The county advised residents not to give money to panhandlers, which could encourage more panhandling and doesn't solve the underlying issues. Instead, residents are asked to provide panhandlers with the the county hotline, or make a donation to a nonprofit.