The panhandling problem

COEUR d'ALENE - The words on the cardboard sign read, "have a good day, god bless."

Since he wasn't asking for money, Tom DeShazer thought he wasn't doing anything wrong.

Not so.

The sign landed the homeless man a $47 ticket, and because he has no money to pay it, he fears he's facing more legal problems.

"I'm going to end up going to jail," he said Friday.

The 37-year-old admits he was panhandling when he stood in the Albertson's parking lot about two weeks ago. It's illegal to panhandle in Hayden, where the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department handles the law enforcement.

KCSD Maj. Ben Wolfinger said panhandling is an issue in Hayden. Property and business owners have complained about people asking for money.

"It's become a real problem up there," Wolfinger said.

KCSD warns panhandlers the first few times, he said.

They are directed to the bus service, to shelters, and told to move along.

"I've talked to people out there personally," Wolfinger said. "Sometimes, they're real appreciative. Sometimes, they're not."

He said deputies can only give so many warnings before they have to issue tickets.

"You've got to take some action," he said. "It's a progressive discipline."

The city of Moses Lake, Wash., is considering enacting a new law so it can fine people for asking for money from drivers and passengers in vehicles.

The proposed ordinance prevents people from begging in a public place "with the intent to intimidate another person into giving money or goods."

"This ordinance does not prohibit panhandling, as has been suggested, because there are some Constitutional issues," said City Manager Joe Gavinski.

DeShazer was born in Spokane and raised in Huetter.

With a background that includes a seven-year drug addiction, he said he has been trying to change his life and for the first time recently has been clear of the court system.

However, with criminal convictions in his history, he said no one will hire him, so he turns to panhandling. He said he doesn't know what else to do.

"I'm trying to clean myself up and I can't do it," he said. "I'm a four-time loser and I can't get a job."

Patty McGruder, homeless outreach worker with Dirne Community Health Center, said she sees people like DeShazer get caught up in a cycle they can't break. Because of their background, they can't get a job, so they have no money and they have nowhere to go.

"It overwhelms them," she said.

DeShazer called Friday to arrange a court date for the panhandling ticket, and McGruder wants to be there as an advocate.

She said if DeShazer can't pay the fine, an arrest warrant could eventually be issued.

What she suggests is a way for people in DeShazer's situation to do community service instead of having to pay a fine.

"We have to hopefully give them something to find a way out of this cycle," she said.

DeShazer would like the community service, too.

"I hope so, because I sure can't pay no $47 ticket," he said.

The Columbia Basin Herald contributed to this report.