Aggressive panhandling at Birchwood Shopping Center scares CP residents

Panhandling in the Cornwall Park neighborhood has Birchwood Shopping Center customers and employees constantly looking over their shoulders waiting for the next person to ask for spare change.

Begging people for money was against the law until the Supreme Court ruled the law a violation of freedom of speech. Now, an aggressive panhandling law protects victims of aggressive panhandling.

A person standing outside of a shopping area or street corner asking or begging people for money is panhandling. When the person being asked for money is being harassed and name called by the panhandler, the panhandling becomes aggressive and against the law.

Panhandlers at the Birchwood Shopping Center stand outside the front doors of Subway, Little Caesars and Albertsons asking customers for spare change.

Damon Holden, an employee at Little Caesars, said panhandlers keep customers from coming inside.

“It’s definitely bad for business,” Holden said.

Donating doesn't help

Bellingham Police Public Information Officer Mark Young, said panhandlers suffer from an addiction to alcohol and drugs. He said the problem with panhandling exists when the money being received is used to intoxicate themselves.

Young said an addiction is a “strong, compelling drive” and panhandlers would rather feed their addiction than buy food. He said the people who give “hand ups” do not help panhandlers’ addictions.

Holden said the first time he was asked for money from a panhandler he gave the man money. Holden said he sees the panhandler out on the streets everyday and the panhandler continues to ask him for money.

Young suggests people who feel compelled to help those who beg for money, donate to relief agencies like the Lighthouse Mission.

Young also said to tell the panhandler, “‘No thank you’ and move away.”

Candice Lucas, a mother who lives in the Brampton Court Apartments located next to the shopping center, said every time she goes shopping she gets harassed by panhandlers.

“I go out a lot less than I usually would because I’m afraid of being approached for money when I have my kid with me,” Lucas said.

Employees strive for safety

Employees from Little Caesars do take safety precautions but they still feel scared, according to Melissa Harkness, an employee at Little Caesars. Harkness said when she works the night closing shift, she and the other employee working, always lock up and walk out together.

“I never walk out to my car alone when I get off work,” Harkness said.

Nancy Ho, an Albertson’s cashier, lives four minutes away from work. Ho said she feels uncomfortable when she sees people hanging out in the parking lot and standing around on empty sidewalk corners.

“I’ll get a ride home when I get off work at 10 p.m.,” Ho said.

Young said the police receive numerous complaints about panhandlers. He said the police cannot take action unless the panhandler is causing a disturbance.

Panhandlers keep going back to the shopping area because people keep giving them money, according to Young.

“Stop feeding it, and it’s gonna move away,” Young said.