Pandemic of Solicitation

There is hardly a part of Austin that hasn't been affected by roadway solicitation. Transients, Austin Restoration Ministries (selling pixie sticks, water, candy, hand out flyers) and oddly enough, parents and their children have become hazards in the roadway while collecting money.

The Pedestrian Safety Initiative was launched in June to stop roadway solicitation. If a person is caught soliciting in the roadway, they will be ticketed. Some people view the initiative as an attempt to reduce the eye sore of transients on the streets. The police believe it reduces actions that place citizens at risk. There have been cases of aggression to obtain funds. There have been cases of solicitors getting hit by a vehicle. Did you know that many pedestrian accidents involve a car turning right at a stop light? Drivers are engaged in manuevering through traffic and the last thing they need are individuals walking between the cars at those intersections.

There has been a noticeable reduction in roadway solicitation but it hasn't been entirely resolved yet because enforcement is only part of the solution. The Ausitn Police Department asks that money, or any type of donation, not be given to pedestrians soliciting in the roadway, regardless of the charity.

Instead, please donate to a nonprofit organization that either assists the homeless or is in charge of the topic that most insterests you. By doing so, you are assured that your money will go to the purpose you intended.

Austinites really do have generous hearts - contrary to some recent "polls" published about our charity-giving spirit. You are not denying someone help by not giving them money directly. You are keeping them and yourself safe.

From the APD - October, 2007

updated: 05/14/2008