Police crack down on aggressive panhandling

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It's something you might see driving up and down the Pioneer Valley: People asking for money.

Some are more aggressive than others and now one Massachusetts community is cracking down on aggressive panhandlers.

Worcester passed an ordinance in January banning aggressive panhandling, and now anyone still doing it there, gets arrested.

Panhandlers can be seen on street corners in many Massachusetts communities.

Some quietly ask for money others are more aggressive and can become a headache.

"You wonder how much these guys are making and you don't want to sound like a jerk, but no I'm sorry, this is not why I work two jobs, so I can give you money," said Michael McMahon, Feeding Hills.

Aggressive panhandling recently became a problem in the city of Worcester.

The city banned aggressive panhandling in January and has started making arrests.

Something Springfield did years ago.

"We have made quite a few arrests for people who aggressively panhandle and there are certain corners in downtown Springfield that have been plagued by this," Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney said.  "So we go out there and warn them, if they come back, we arrest."

The 22News I-Team took a drive around Springfield in an unmarked car to see if anyone approached us.

We didn't find aggressive panhandlers, but we did find one from Worcester who says he's new to panhandling and hopes to not make a career out of it.

"I've never done this before a few days ago actually. I'd like to get out of it to be honest with ya, a lot of people, they try to make a living out of it, and I'm not trying to do that, I'm living at the homeless shelter," said David, who didn't want to reveal his last name.

Bill Miller with the Friends of the Homeless shelter says not everyone on the streets is out to cause a problem, but it's important you know your rights if they do.

"If people want or need to beg, I mean I guess that is their right, but certainly it's not their right to bully people into giving them money," Miller said.

If panhandlers are aggressive with you, police say it's important you let them know about it.

Aggressive panhandling is a misdemeanor in many communities including Springfield.