I read with disbelief Dover City Councilman David Anderson’s Ordinance 2025-21, whose purpose is to criminalize panhandling, as well as the compassionate act of donating to those struggling to survive. The councilman proposes to fine poor folks seeking contributions at intersections and those choosing to help them.
Councilman Anderson posted, “The flood of people on the medians and intersections has to end or we have anarchy.” Really? Panhandlers will result in “anarchy,” a complete breakdown of organized society? Is the councilman aware of the word “hyperbole”?
I cannot comprehend the inhumanity of levying fines on someone who is indigent and cannot possibly pay them. Then what? Jail for having unpaid fines? Can any compassionate society accept making a poor person’s situation even bleaker?
Instead of compassionate and helpful policies, this ordinance treats poor folks as inconvenient embarrassments who should be concealed. Out of sight, out of mind.
There is no gray area here. A policy designed to embarrass, harass, financially injure and perhaps incarcerate poor people is immoral. To see a person fighting for survival — in a land of plenty — and to conclude that our action should be to punish him or her with injurious policies is reprehensible.
Nearly as bad is the attempt to criminalize those who show compassion to someone less fortunate. Needless to say, this ordinance will not deter me from giving to someone in need.
Perhaps the councilman should heed Mahatma Gandhi, who told us, “The measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest members.”
Mark Jacobs
Newark
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
