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.
