UNC’s DiPhi society hosts panhandling debate

Four Chapel Hill Town Council candidates discussed panhandling in a debate Monday night sponsored by the UNC Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies and UNC HOPE.

“The focus of the debate was really inspired by the dispute that occurred at Front Porch, and it’s a really current topic the candidates are campaigning on,” said Meghan DeMaria, a DiPhi member.

Though not all panhandlers are homeless, members of UNC HOPE, who work closely with people in homeless shelters, spoke about how the two issues interact.

Town Council candidates Carl Schuler, Laney Dale, Lee Storrow and Jason Baker attended the debate.

Candidates Donna Bell, Augustus Cho, Matt Czajkowski, Jon DeHart and Jim Ward did not attend.

Schuler said he has not seen aggressive panhandling in Chapel Hill, but the town should consider the effect of panhandlers on businesses.

“I feel that the market should decide whether or not panhandling is acceptable, but we do have to pay attention to what the business community says,” he said.

“We want a place that is friendly, that welcomes people.”

Storrow said further restriction wouldn’t solve anything.

“We cannot create a stronger panhandling ordinance, and if that were put to council, I would oppose it,” he said. “I don’t think that’s fair, and it doesn’t address the real problem.”

He said the problem goes beyond Franklin Street.

Dale said more needs to be done to aid those who panhandle.

“It’s about human dignity,” he said.

“These people need to be helped, so we need to put more into programs to help people find jobs or temporary shelter.”

Baker said the ordinances are adequate and shouldn’t be extended to make panhandling illegal.

“The ordinances on the books deal with aggressive panhandling, and I think that’s as far as they need to go,” he said.

Baker said he is concerned people only deal with the visible aspects of poverty.

“Being poor is not a crime and should not be made a crime,” he said.

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