News Releases

Mobile Police Central Events Organizes Anti-Panhandling Initiative

Dec 16th, 2013

Understanding the current quality of life issues surrounding panhandling in the downtown area and a possible solution to its prevention, Mobile Police have partnered with several local agencies and organizations who hope to resolve this matter. Mobile Police Department, Downtown Alliance, Downtown Business Owners Group, the Downtown Residence Group, several homeless service providers, Central Parking and local artists have created this coalition in an effort to serve the citizens of Mobile by initiating an anti-panhandling model for downtown Mobile.

Lieutenant Billie Rowland of the Mobile Police Department has created an initiative similar to successful programs established in cities such as Denver, Nashville and Virginia Beach. Three refurbished parking meters have been secured to be placed in the downtown area specifically to collect money for local homeless shelters. These meters have been painted by local artists to distinguish them from functional parking meters and to add to Mobile's eclectic downtown scenery. Each meter will be marked with metal signage, designating it as a collection place for local homeless shelters. The signage, along with posters and flyers placed in downtown businesses, also discourages downtown visitors from giving cash to panhandlers.

The three meters will be placed at Bienville Square, Cathedral Square and at the triangle at Dauphin and Washington Streets.

More information will be released at a press conference today, December 16, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in Bienville Square at Conception and Dauphin Streets, where a meter will be displayed.

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Ashley H. Rains
Public Information Office
Office: (251) 208-1918