Letter of the Day | Motorists vs stoplight beggars

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As a motorist, there’s a sense of helplessness that washes over you when you approach a stoplight and see someone approaching your car. I’ve experienced it countless times – persuasive beggars knocking on my window with desperate pleas, asking for any bit of change I can spare.

Most times, like many people, I’ve opened my window to give something, knowing that many of these individuals genuinely need help. But recently, I’ve started questioning whether my well-meaning actions may have contributed to a larger problem.

In cities, especially around stoplights in major towns, encounters with beggars have become routine. But what was once a passive interaction has started to feel almost like harassment. These individuals have become more insistent, and in many cases, confrontational or verbally abusive when their requests are not met.

At almost every busy intersection, you’re likely to find someone either washing windshields without permission or knocking on windows, asking for money. Their persistence can be overwhelming. I've found myself in situations where, after politely declining, I was met with angry glares or outright cursing. It’s not just uncomfortable – it can feel threatening, especially when you're alone in the car.

What’s troubling is that many of us, myself included, may have unknowingly contributed to this issue. By handing out money over the years, I may have fed a behaviour that encourages more aggressive begging. While my intentions were good – helping someone in need – the unintended consequence is a growing number of individuals who rely on motorists for income, sometimes at the cost of motorists' sense of safety and peace of mind.

I still believe in helping those who are in genuine need. There’s no doubt that many of these individuals are struggling, possibly homeless, or unable to find work, and their appearance reflects their hardship. But how do we balance compassion with practicality? How do we provide aid without encouraging behaviour that borders on harassment?

One practical solution is to focus on organised efforts. Instead of giving money directly to beggars at stoplights, we can support local charities, shelters, and outreach programmes that are dedicated to helping homeless and vulnerable individuals. These organisations are better equipped to offer long-term solutions, such as housing, meals, and job training, which can help people get off the streets, rather than rely on begging.

REAL SAFETY CONCERN

There’s also a real safety concern here – not just for motorists, but for the beggars themselves. People standing in the middle of traffic, weaving between cars, are constantly at risk of being hit. And for drivers, these encounters can be stressful, distracting, and even dangerous.

Local authorities could consider developing designated safe zones where individuals in need can receive assistance without having to approach motorists directly. These areas could offer food, shelter, or medical care, ensuring that the vulnerable are looked after without having to endanger themselves or others by soliciting on busy roads.

At the end of the day, it's about creating a solution that works for everyone. Motorists shouldn't feel threatened or harassed at stoplights, but beggars shouldn’t be left without support, either. We need to shift from individual handouts that perpetuate the problem to community-based solutions that address the root cause.

As someone who has experienced this issue firsthand, I now realise that while my intention was to help, we must all rethink how we approach street-level charity.

In the long run, giving to organised efforts, supporting policies that promote safe alternatives for beggars, and encouraging the authorities to address the issue holistically may be the best way forward – for both motorists and those in need.

LEROY FEARON