Omaha Panhandlers Rule!

City's Failed Response

Panhandling takes many forms and will change according to current trends and events. Trying to pin down the precise reason for it can be a bit slippery. There are many pervasive myths about “homelessness”. Omaha is generous and can shelter many people, but shelters will not accept people who are not sober and who are on drugs. This forces such people to create encampments and/or panhandle for money. These policies are not very transparent to the public and difficult to document.

Also, contrary to what some say, there are professional hobos who are skilled at knowing the “when” and “where” to panhandle as well as how to dress and act. Usually you can recognize such panhandlers because they have a large backpack or tote bag with them or nearby. If you don’t see a backpack, look again. It might be behind the tree near them or in their car across the way. Oh, and a quick search of the internet will give you advice on how to fine-tune your panhandling skills.

Also, contrary to what people think, many panhandlers, if not most, have a home and a job. They panhandle because they look pathetic enough, trustworthy, and can skillfully lie to people to obtain money to pay for their addictions. Most panhandlers use the cash to buy drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and even lottery tickets, but they will often deny this. In other words, your cash just enables addiction and other bad behaviors.

But the people I despise the most are those who give to panhandlers. Hey, if you're going to give the panhandler $5 bucks, where is my 5 bucks? Seriously, if you see someone giving money to panhandlers, you should confront them and say, “Oh, you are giving away money? Can I have some?” How gullible do you have to be to take someone at face value on the street corner and give them money? If you want to help people, there are better ways to help people.

To make matters worse, Omaha City government is merely viewing this through law enforcement instead of engaging the cultural problem of panhandling. Other cities are finding ways to confront panhandling. A simple approach is being done in Canton, Ohio, where the City has a “A Better Way” campaign to encourage people to donate to local charities instead of panhandlers (https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2024/03/22/canton-looks-to-deter-panhandling-with-better-way-to-give-signs/73038537007/). Other cities like Knoxville, Tennessee are doing the same (https://insideofknoxville.com/2021/11/new-efforts-to-combat-panhandling-and-noise-in-the-center-city/). Wilmington, North Carolina, is doing a similar program (https://portcitydaily.com/latest-news/2023/07/08/new-city-effort-discourages-giving-to-panhandlers-but-does-it-work/).

But why not Omaha? Ask your City Council member (https://citycouncil.cityofomaha.org/) and contact the Mayor (https://mayors-office.cityofomaha.org/) and ask them. Change will not come without your input.