Mayor Paul Tenhaken, Chief Jon Thum urge people not to give panhandlers cash

Well-meaning people are funding public intoxication, anti-social behavior

An increase in problem homelessness in Sioux Falls is being fueled by well-meaning people giving money to panhandlers, Mayor Paul TenHaken and Police Chief Jon Thum said Thursday.

That cash in turn is used to buy cheap alcoholic beverages – “gut rot,” TenHaken referred to them at one point – that leads to public drunkenness and bad behavior.

“Guys, this is silliness that we’re doing this and enabling this behavior,” the mayor said.

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