The perceived proliferation of panhandlers has been a topic of neighborhood chatter in recent weeks, and the Dallas Police Department has taken note. An expansive campaign to crackdown on those asking for handouts has led to hundreds of recent arrests, the Dallas Morning News reports.
An impressive 227 people — nearly 8 a day — were arrested for panhandling in February, while another 26 were issued citations. That number dipped in March to 110 arrests and four citations.
Critics have said the crackdown unfairly targets the poor and homeless, but police insist they are focusing on “aggressive” panhandlers who curse at people who don’t give them money and make people feel threatened.
The campaign comes during a citywide uptick in violent crime, which has inspired sweeping changes in the department.
