Press Release

Curb Panhandling While Delivering Much Needed Help

Seeking to combat panhandling, the Downtown Alliance in Salt Lake City, UT, launches a two pronged attack to focus on education and enforcement.

(Boonton, NJ, November 16, 2009) — Salt Lake City, UT, unveiled an educational campaign designed to discourage donations to panhandlers and encourage donations to local social service organizations.

This two-pronged approach was developed through a partnership of the Downtown Alliance, the Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce, and a downtown-based advertising and PR firm, which donated all its creative work to the program.

In looking at what other cities have done to combat panhandling, one of the most interesting ideas that the Alliance came upon was the donation meter, which is a parking meter decorated and modified to promote and accept small charitable donations.

The November issue of Downtown Promotion Reporter, discusses a range of strategies for reducing panhandling.

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About Downtown Promotion Reporter

Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletter is published by the Downtown Research & Development Center. For more than 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has provided a forum for exchanging news, information and ideas on how to rebuild the hearts of our cities.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com