Merchants meet to discuss panhandling along the Coast
The cities of Biloxi and Gulfport are offering a ‘better way to give’ program when it comes to panhandling.
Merchants met at the Biloxi Visitors Center to talk about panhandling that has become more of a problem on the Coast.
Panhandling is when individuals ask others for money in front of businesses that are not only disrupting a place of business, but have run people off from coming back due to beggars being aggressive.
City leaders say they have come up with a safer alternative to help those in need.
Starting June 1st, signs will go up across the Coast that will discourage panhandling while giving citizens an opportunity to safely help those who are in need. Biloxi Mayor FoFo Gilich said, “Most of the visitation and most of the issues is everywhere and every neighborhood and shopping retail village, it’s getting more and more aggressive. You don’t want to not help the people that need help. This is the first step on giving a better way and eliminating this feeling of uncomfortableness with some of the people we’ve been encountering.”
If you would like to donate and find out more information, go to betterwaygc.com.
