Stop Roanoke Panhandling

There are resources, services and shelters people can turn to who will help those who are homeless. The people standing on corners are not homeless, or are homeless by choice. The organizations and shelters provided have rules that people are expected to follow. If they opt out of rules, they are actively CHOOSING to be on the streets. They aren't looking for HELP. They're looking for HANDOUTS.

Being approached by people at stop lights, in parking lots, at gas stations and asking for money is very unsafe. What happens if you don't give them money? Are you setting yourself up for being harmed, kidnapped, property damaged? They need to be directed to the free services offered in the areas andn/or to jail. This is just another way of leeching off of society without having to work.

Something really needs to be done about this! Roanoke needs to stop being a sanctuary city for these panhandlers!

Panhandling in Roanoke has got to stop! It makes are town look bad

I have stopped going to certain shopping areas at night when I'm alone because I'm constantly approached in parking lots. Im a compassionate person, but I feel charitable donations could be more effective if they were given to an organization with a larger and more longterm mission to help those in need.

This needs to be ended!

This is annoying seeing these people at every corner..

Please do something to stop these panhandlers!!

This should not include fundraisers done by fire dept etc. Only those begging that are able to work!

It's getting out of hand. We need to do something about this!!

Valley view and Lakeside Kroger are the worst

This needs to end they are gonna walk into traffic and cause a bad accident

Out of hand. At the intersection right near the Rescue Mission too. All directions. They were on about every light I passed yesterday.

It has really gotten out of hand and something needs to be done.

It's annoying and I seen a guy who had a sign and he had his car parked in a parking lot. They everyone can get a job even if it's a crappy one. I don't mind helping people if they actually need help.

I am tired of paying taxes, only to be harassed by the panhandlers in front of every Kroger in Roanoke and having them stare into my car at every intersection. I work very hard for what I have and these people need to get off the streets. If they are legitimately homeless, there are numerous resources for them. However, I dare say that the majority of them are playing on people's fear and pity. This is very degrading to a city which is supposedly making a recovery.

Stopping panhandling in Roanoke City should be a top priority! It has become a huge problem in SW and South Roanoke. Panhandlers are not only accosting adults for money but children as well. We can't go to Towers Mall/Franklin Road/Tanglewood/7-11 and many other places in this area without being harassed for money! We pay very high property taxes to live in this area and do not deserve to be treated like this by these panhandlers. Crime has risen in my neighborhood which was a very peaceful area. Please stop this and enact laws that prevent panhandling in any form!! Hopefully our neighborhoods and businesses can return back to normal if they leave!

I wish Roanoke would do something about this issue, it's horrible seeing the same people month after month. I see this one woman on 460 every week. She goes from King St. to the Walmart, then goes to the airport and then Christiansburg too.

This makes every municipality look bad, no one can say that there aren't enough services for the homeless in our valley. I have traveled in many other parts of the country and the Roanoke valley is good to the unfortunate homeless. I have personally seen some who play the part as homeless purchase cheap beer just after receiving the money and I have seen those who make close to what I did as a city employee just from panhandling.....stop the cycle!

We need your help to stop pan handling in the Roanoke Area!