SEPTA Says It’s Getting Tough on Panhandling
Photo | Ben Schumin
SEPTA officials have introduced measures that they hope will put a stop to panhandling on subways.
Transit Police Chief Thomas J. Nestel said on Twitter that the new policies follow an uptick in complaints from passengers who say some people have been overly aggressive when asking for food and/or money on the Broad Street and Market Frankford subway lines.
Nestel said that on the first offense, SEPTA officials – including some plainclothes officers – will issue warnings and direct offenders to social service agencies. If a second incident occurs, transit police could potentially arrest and charge offenders.
Panhandling is not a crime in the city – in fact, it’s a constitutionally-protected right. But Philadelphia police regularly cite panhandlers – usually those who stand on or near streets and ask people in vehicles for money – with obstructing the highway.
SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said that because subway carts are a confined space, transit police could arrest and charge panhandlers with trespassing if they pose a threat to commuters, though officers “don’t expect that to happen much,” he said.
“It’s a safety issue to make our riders feel safer,” Busch said.
As of this weekend, Nestel said five offenders had been warned. The transit police chief addressed a number of concerns – including doubts that arrests would eliminate panhandling – via Twitter.
Both broad and Olney and the subway in general are problem areas for that. Most ask for change and walk away but some can be annoying
— shawnthegifgiver (@shawnthegifguy) April 8, 2017
Yep. The riders have spoken. Many complaints have been coming in so we are doing a balanced approach of offer help, warn, arrest. https://t.co/EttE3G3DYB
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) April 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/kmart93/status/850863376473493504
Which is why we are trying to channel them to social services. https://t.co/Sejrijy2Z2
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) April 9, 2017
Good and some of them need mental help I feel for those
— shawnthegifgiver (@shawnthegifguy) April 9, 2017
We have great support from mental health providers and will channel folks that need it towards that resource. https://t.co/bYnspKLvMv
— Thomas J. Nestel III (@TNestel3) April 9, 2017
Follow @ClaireSasko on Twitter.
