Sheriff Hodgson Dismissive of Anti-Panhandler Suggestion from New Bedford Council

The New Bedford City Council has been brainstorming on methods to decrease panhandling in the city. Thursday night, Council President Linda Morad presented the possibility of having deputies from the Bristol County Sheriff's Office stand beside people begging for money.

Speaking on "The Barry Richard Show," Hodgson says he doubts it would work. "It's pretty difficult for us to do anything other than stand there," says Hodgson. "By simply standing there, some of these people they don't frankly care. If they believe that they can be there, they're not concerned that a law enforcement person or somebody in uniform happens to be standing next to them."

The Sheriff adds a public awareness campaign might be more effective. "I think the way to deal with it would be probably more through the idea of just encouraging the public to offer any monies to the Salvation Army, Sister Rose's place, and other places that we know in our communities that are really trying to help people that are in need."

Hodgson, like Mayor Jon Mitchell, says if the public stops giving to panhandlers, they will more than likely go away.