INC NEWS - Durham does need a change...

Sat Oct 6 09:50:21 EDT 2007

Look carefully, Randy and Deb! 
The intersections you are concerned about are virtually ALL inside the City  
limits. This proposed ban will NOT cover those.

The Durham Can You Spare A Change Campaign is entirely separate and  
independent of Lewis Cheek's new law proposal. It merely suggests we not give  money 
to panhandlers in all areas of Durham.

Perhaps folks would stop standing at any intersection if we, the  people of 
Durham, were to stop giving them money!
Make sense?

Feel free to support both ideas, but if the intersections are inside the  
City of Durham, the proposed ban will not effect them.

Bill Anderson

In a message dated 10/6/2007 3:07:27 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
dchristie1 at nc.rr.com writes:

I agree  with Randy.

Spare a change and ban panhandlers at intersections.   It is really 
dangerous.

Deb Christie

----- Original Message  ----- 
From: "RW Pickle" <randy at 27beverly.com>
To:  <inc-list at durhaminc.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 12:26  AM
Subject: INC NEWS - Durham does need a change...

> ban  right-of-way solicitation in both the City and County!
>
> Durham  can spare a change, get these folks off the right-of-way before
>  someone gets killed! Will it take that before we enact measures to  protect
> those, which others often say, have substance abuse problems  or mental
> capacity issues? Does it make any sense to leave these folks  standing in
> the middle of the road?
>
> The National  Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that approximately
> 6,500  pedestrians and 900 bicyclists are killed each year as a result of
>  collisions with motor vehicles. They don't split up the statistics, so  you
> can't see how many were panhandlers. It's not too hard to believe  that it
> was at least one (of the 6,500). So what if that next one  happened to be
> on 15-501 in Durham? Is it not our responsibility to  act in a manner that
> would create a safer environment for both  panhandlers and those in
> vehicles? How is keeping right-of-way  solicitation a daily norm going to
> make it any safer? It isn't. And  when they get hit, I guess they can sue
> the City for allowing them to  stand there when the City had an opportunity
> to stop them by passing  an ordinance. Maybe even get $10 million for being
>  hit...
>
> As I said before (and Bill Anderson suggested in his  last post), this is
> about changing the ideas of those in cars who  would roll down their
> windows and give these folks something. And I  don't care what you call it
> and how many fliers you give out, you're  not going to change human nature.
> We are all taught compassion from an  early age; to help those less
> fortunate when we can. So now we're  going to have this campaign to change
> the way we think? I think those  supporting this need to change their
> minds. You'll never change  kindness and generosity. It's human nature.
>
> Those who attended  the last INC meeting heard about a new program in
> Durham funded by the  County, City, and the Triangle United Way (3 deep
> pocketed groups). It  deals with all the issues these panhandlers face (or
> those who support  another option would want you to believe); homelessness,
> substance  abuse, mental illness, and jobs). It would seem to me that
> getting  behind this already existing (and just getting started) program
> would  be a much better idea. It addresses all the issues these panhandlers
>  face and has a staff working toward their agenda. So if the County  passes
> their right-of-way solicitation ordinance, they are already  working to
> address the problems that group faces. Then the City can do  the same
> (since they're funding the new program as well). And the  third party
> involved with this new program, Triangle United Way,  already funds most of
> the charitable-help organizations already. So  that's huge.
>
> Mike Shifflett said in a post earlier in the  week:
>
> "However, with this amazement also comes a small feeling  of disappointment
> in the fact that in many cases there already exists  or existed an
> organization, community group, non-profit or  neighborhood association that
> actual has worked on that same issue or  is currently working to improve
> it.
>
> Year after  year,  new and exciting groups form around the elections to
> fight  or advocate for more peace, less crime, more housing, increasing
>  police and law enforcement (read immigration) resources and/or
>  environmental issues.
>
> Thing is, in all of these instances,  there exists just such a group of
> concern citizens who would have  loved to have more public support
> themselves.
>
> But  wouldn't it be great if we could all join together and work as a team?
>  I'm sure it would be more efficient.  I'm more than sure that the  results
> might be longer lasting as in many instances as these new  groups then
> either disband or diminish in strength as their particular  issue plays out
> (win or lose)."
>
> This "Durham Can You  Spare A Change" idea is just that. It's a duplication
> of another  program that is actually trying to change things for those who
> need  it; not change us. The idea that you can change human nature is just
>  an up-hill battle. It just won't happen. And when one of the  panhandlers
> is hit and killed... their blood will be on your hands for  not doing
> something when you had the chance. Get them out of the road  and get them
> some help. Support the idea of banning right-of-way  solicitation and
> support the new County, City, and United Way  initiative. You could save a
> life...
>
> RWP
> 27  Beverly
>
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>  

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