Prince William Co. wants to pay panhandlers to pick up trash

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Prince William County leaders think they have a solution to the county’s panhandling problem: Pay the panhandlers cash to pick up trash.

Leaders across Northern Virginia have said they have a panhandling problem, it’s not just Prince Willian County. But it is one of the first counties to try and find a solution.

WUSA9 wanted to find out how this new program would work. We found a few panhandlers in the mid-afternoon, one on the side of the road and another near a shopping center.

When we approached them, they said they did not want to talk on camera. But they didn’t seem to mind to chat with us. Both of the older men said they don’t want to be panhandling for money, but it’s their only option to get money.

The man standing on the side of Sudley Road near Manassas said he spends about three hours in the morning and three in the evening panhandling. The other man at the shopping center near Potomac Mills didn’t say how much time he spends doing it.

Panhandling is not illegal. But reports across the county range from nuisance concerns to safety concerns. So what can you do?

“This is a way to give those folks employment, but it also addresses a real need in the community,” said County Board Supervisor Kenny Boddye.

Boddye explained that the county is considering a panhandling pilot program. The big headline is that the pilot program would pay these panhandlers $13 an hour to pick up trash on the side of the roads they walk.

"What we would do is partner with Keep Prince William Beautiful, it's a non-profit that works on beautification, environmental programs, and litter control in the area," he said. 

Additionally, the pilot would also try to connect panhandlers with social services, like housing and mental health.

“How can we engage them better? How do we make sure they know these services exist?” he asked. “Frankly we will find out how we can be better connected to their needs. You know, go out to where they are as opposed to having them come in.”

But what do the panhandlers think?

The man on Sudley Road said he would like a guaranteed $13 an hour, especially on hot days. But, the man at the shopping center near Potomac Mills didn’t want any part of the idea. He said he is disabled and can’t do that. He also didn’t think the county had services that could help him.

The program isn’t a sure thing. The Board of Supervisors is waiting for cost estimates and a breakdown of the program in a July meeting, but it could be as late as the September board meetings.

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