Are Amarillo’s New ‘Say NO to Panhandling’ Signs Too Harsh?

It is not uncommon to see panhandlers at countless intersections in Amarillo holding signs asking for help from passersby. It's a sad sight but it is reflective of a reality that Amarillo unfortunately faces.

Recently some signs have been posted up around the city of Amarillo which leaves a recommendation for drivers who come into contact with those asking for money.

Depending on who you are and what your personal beliefs are, this sign can be interpreted in a multitude of ways.

By some, it can be seen as one of the first real steps by the City of Amarillo towards doing something about poverty in Amarillo. Given the fact that the sign also reads "You can give a safer way" and adds a website link for concerned citizens, this sign could be interpreted as a pretty positive message.

However, others might read the sign as dismissive or insensitive to those in need. Although generous drivers might not know where the money they have given goes, the chance that it might actually help a person in need outweighs the risk that the money will be misused.

It can be a real dilemma for any of us who see those asking for money to decide whether or not to give.

Whether you decide to give money to panhandlers is your own decision, but messages such as these can put into question the effects and intentions behind our generosity.

What do you think about the message conveyed by this city sign? Is it good? Is it insensitive? Or is it somewhere in between?