Marysville, Arlington team up to stop panhandling

The cities of Marysville and Arlington are teaming up to crack down on panhandling. They say when someone sees a panhandler, instead of giving them money, give them a flyer that has a list of resources they can use and that the public can donate to.

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While most people KIRO 7 talked to say it’s a good idea, some say it’s really going to hurt them.

Chris Walley said panhandling isn’t a choice, but a necessity, and not a very lucrative one.

“It used to be I can make ten bucks here, there a couple times a day, and now I’m spending hours just trying to make eight,” said Walley.

Three years ago, Marysville implemented new restrictions on panhandlers. They are not allowed to panhandle at night or near freeway on- and off-ramps.

Apparently, it’s working.

“We have seen a decline in panhandling, but it hasn’t eliminated it by any stretch,” said Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring.

In fact, it may have pushed it north to Smokey Point, between Marysville and Arlington.

That is where KIRO 7 reporter Joanna Small met Walley, in the Safeway parking lot, where he was happy just to have a half-eaten bag of chips.

“Oh, and you know, a couple of 7 Eleven Tostito things somebody gave me. It was pretty cool,” said Walley.

But he admits the $8 likely isn’t for food. Often times, it’s for heroin.

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“I’m not going to lie – sometimes (the money goes to heroin),” said Walley.

And that’s what the Marysville-Arlington anti-panhandling partnership hopes to curb through handing out flyers to people in the community like Michelle Haugen, who wouldn’t hand out money to a stranger.

“I don’t believe in that. I think it feeds their addiction,” said Haugen.

But she might donate to a charity listed on the flyer.

However, Walley says he can’t even get to the help.

“A couple weeks ago, I had to go to court and it took me like eight hours to get $4.50 to get on the bus.”

The cities have one more tool. They say some businesses already do it, but they are passing out “keep the change” stickers for windows. At the bottom, it says “give to a local charity” instead.