Some Dallas Residents Question Panhandling Law's "Double Standard"
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Residents in Downtown Dallas are questioning the enforcement of panhandling laws and if the recent crackdown on people begging for money should apply to everyone, including firefighters.
"Oh my God, they're doing the same thing that we're chastising the homeless for and making a big hullaballoo about," said Richard Adams, a downtown resident. "Anybody in the streets is negligent."
Residents like Adams feel there's a double standard when it comes to who is allowed to ask for money on the street and who is not allowed. For the last three days, Dallas Fire and Rescue crews have been out looking for donations for its annual "Fill The Boot" campaign. "We're trying to stop the panhandlers and then all of a sudden, the firefighters are panhandling," said Adams.
Some residents posted about the policy enforced by Dallas Police on Facebook. The post ignited a debate among downtown residents. "I realize that, that's been something traditional that they've done. But considering the sensitivity of what's happening in Dallas and the enforcement with the panhandling, I just think there might be a more sensitive way to raise funds," said Jill Erickson, a downtown worker.
Dallas Police said the focus is on "aggressive" panhandlers and officers so far have not received any reports of aggressive behavior in regard to firefighters. "We're doing this out of the kindness of our heart, we're taking off from our job, I don't really think there's any comparison," said Willie Range of Dallas Fire and Rescue.
Range said they do their best to not disturb anyone. He said most of the money they gather comes from people reaching out to them as they walk by cars. Residents like Adams said the issue is not with firefighters. The problem is with who is allowed in the street and who is not allowed.
"I want to see the firefighters collecting funds, I want to see us supporting them, just in a safer way," said Adams.
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