Homelessness, Panhandling and Vagrancy

Homelessness, panhandling and vagrancy have dramatically increased in the city of Huntington during the past year. The reasons are many, but the failure of our city government to protect the city's merchants and their customers from aggressive panhandlers has allowed this issue to become much more intolerable.

Our city government must get a handle on this issue or face the potential loss of businesses whose owners must consider whether, or not, to continue tolerating the panhandlers and their socially unacceptable behavior. Homelessness is not a crime, and we do have excellent social services being delivered to these folks. However, they do have an obligation to conduct themselves in a civil manner as they move about our city. If they do not, it is the responsibility of our government to enforce all current ordinances and laws that are in place to protect our businesses and citizens.