Forget gangs and drugs, you need to be worried about panhandling [View all]
SAN BERNARDINO - The panhandlers who crowd busy intersections and shopping lots are a sign of the city's decline and a contributor to it, many say, and are more of a problem to them than drastic cutbacks of city services or rising crime.
"Panhandling is the No. 1 reason people give for leaving San Bernardino," said City Attorney James F. Penman. "Panhandling is a chronic problem with this city. It goes right to the quality of life."
Police say they've gotten the message and are fine-tuning a plan to address panhandling.
"This issue has created a significant hurdle for our ultimate goal of creating a safer city," said police Lt. Mike Madden, who is in charge of developing the plan.
Madden noted that San Bernardino has significant problems, including gangs and drugs, but that's not what officers hear about.
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_22512569/san-bernardino-police-target-panhandling#ixzz2KW6m6Uj4
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