Supervisor Bob Weir

What you should know about panhandling:

• Though not all people who panhandle are experiencing homelessness, they may need critical services, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and/or behavioral health and medical care. 
• The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that panhandling is a First Amendment protected act and not a crime.
• Asking for money in public areas, including roadway medians, is not a violation of law.  
  • Since asking for money is a protected act, police officers can only intervene when people who are panhandling commit traffic offenses or engage in criminal activity. If you see a traffic offense or criminal activity occur, contact the Prince William County Police Department. The emergency number is 9-1-1 and the non-emergency number is 703-792-6500.
• It is important to note that police officers can refer people who panhandle to available county human services, but cannot force them to receive services. 
• The county has services and staff who are committed to helping those in need! Learn more about the county's Community Panhandling Response Initiative on PWC Works.

What you can do:

• The biggest difference you can make is to change YOUR behavior!
  • Give to the non-profit organizations that can provide the needed services rather than directly to the panhandler.
  • Let us know if you see people panhandling in the community, so that we can provide outreach services and get them connected to the help they may need. Call 703-792-3939 or emailpwcpanhandling@pwcgov.org and leave a detailed message about the location where you saw the panhandler. 
• Consider volunteering at one of the local shelters or at one of the non-profits that provide resources to those who panhandle.
• Use the material in the toolkit to help spread the message that handouts don't help and to give where it counts! 

It will take all of us working together to make meaningful change in the lives of panhandlers and our community. Give where it counts!

Prince William County wants to ensure the safety and security of all its residents, visitors and businesses. In order to do this, it is important to help those who are panhandling in a human-centered way to solve the underlying reasons why they are panhandling. That's why we encourage those who truly want to help panhandlers to give where it counts.  

We know that many people give money to panhandlers because they want to make a difference in the lives of others and in the community. The reality, though, is that people who panhandle often require different resources and services to have a lasting impact on their lives. Instead, consider giving that money to the organizations that can provide those resources that are much more effective in helping panhandlers find the long-term, sustainable assistance they require.

Instead of giving money directly to panhandlers, give that money to one of the non-profit members of the Continuum of Care (CoC), who can provide and connect those panhandling to the resources they need. The CoC promotes community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and is comprised of local governments, non-profit providers, faith-based organizations, outreach organizations and citizens at large.

It doesn’t take much to make a difference. Even small donations to these local organizations can add up to make a big impact. In a county of nearly half a million people, if just 10,000 people give $10 a month, that would raise more than $1 million in one year to support those in need.

Many panhandlers will continue to panhandle as long as they can make money doing so. Together, we can reduce the need for panhandling by giving where it counts and getting those panhandling the services they need.