‘Handouts don’t help’ New signs target Colorado Springs homeless
A new effort by the city of Colorado Springs is urging people to stop giving money to the homeless.
New signs in the medians say, “handouts don’t help,” but these signs aren’t stopping the helping hands from giving to the people who live on the streets.
A homeless man who goes by Irish said, “when you pointed out to me, it was the first time I noticed it. I haven’t had any problems. They keep giving.”
The initiative, called HelpCOS, was announced by city leaders and Mayor John Suthers in a meeting back in February. Each sign has a phone number for drivers to text when they’ve reached their destination. It takes them to a link where someone can donate money directly to Pikes Peak United Way.
At the meeting, Lt. Mike Lux with the Colorado Springs Police Department said, “if you’re really tired of people panhandling–it doesn’t matter where they’re panhandling, we can make an ordinance for whatever–just stop giving them money.”
Colorado Springs resident Terry Terrell agreed, saying “I’m not sure it’s doing them as much good as it would be if you gave to the mission.”
For now, men like Irish say the signs aren’t inclining him to go anywhere. He said, “I don’t think it’s going to work.”
The HelpCOS campaign will be launched on Thursday with the Springs Rescue Mission.
