PANHANDLING LAW
"Panhandling" means any solicitation made in person requesting an immediate donation of money or other thing of value for oneself or another person or entity. Purchase of an item for an amount far exceeding its value, under circumstances in which a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is, in substance, a donation, is a donation for the purpose of this section. Panhandling shall not include the act of passively standing or sitting, performing music, or singing with a sign or other indication that a donation is being sought but without any vocal request other than a response to an inquiry by another person.
Source: Chattanooga City Code
Bob Dobrowolski was sitting in the Waffle House on Shallowford Road when a man at the next table leaned over.
"Aren't you the chiropractor?" the man asked.
Dr. Dobrowolski, who works at Chiro-Health on South Moore Road, said he was.
"Yeah, I got a business right across the street," the man said. "I stand on the corner and get money."
People asking for money always have been present in the Brainerd area, especially near ramps to Interstate 24 on Moore Road, police and residents say. Some have legitimate need -- they're amputees or homeless veterans or people down on their luck, police say.
Others, though, know they can earn quick money by preying on the kindness of motorists, according to police.
"If they learn the hot spots in town, they go there," said Lt. Charles Russell, who oversees Delta team in the Brainerd area. "People feel sorry for them because they're holding signs."
City ordinance states that those who passively ask for money via a sign are not considered panhandlers. The action becomes panhandling only if a person solicits another person by requesting money or other goods.
So when traffic backs up because someone is holding a sign that asks for money, police arrest them for obstructing the roadway.
And holding a sign seems to be a lucrative business, police say. Of those arrested, some have hundreds of dollars and cell phones in their pockets.
Donating to them only encourages them to continue, Lt. Russell said.
"Giving them money is not helping," he said. "Homeless shelters, food banks, that's where money is better used."
Dr. Dobrowolski said he's watched people work in shifts when begging for money, alternately standing on the corners and resting in a car parked in a nearby lot.
No one could be found standing on corners at Moore, Germantown or Shallowford roads or in East Ridge on Tuesday or Friday.
Betty Moore has lived in the Moore Road area for 40 years and said the neighborhood is quiet. She sometimes sees transients meandering on the sidewalks, but said they're rarely a nuisance.
"I don't see people give them money," Ms. Moore said. "I think this is a good neighborhood."
The number of people holding signs and asking for money has decreased in recent years, said Ralph Christiana, the business manager at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on South Moore Road.
Such people do not accost anyone nor do they typically approach anyone, he said. Church officials mainly watch to make sure none venture onto the campus of the church's school, located next to the church.
"Because of our proximity, people do come over and, if they need food, we certainly help them with that," Mr. Christiana said.
