PANHANDLING CRACKDOWN

Debbie Denmon reports

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DALLAS - A downtown Dallas advocacy group is joining forces with police to enforce a zero-tolerance panhandling policy.

Nearly 100 officers are working together to enforce the anti-solicitation ordinance already on the books.

Panhandling is a big problem at DART rail lines, bus station and at outside major business and restaurants in Dallas.

In 2008, Dallas police working dayshifts alone made nearly 300 arrests and issued nearly 80 citations for panhandling and other public misbehavior in the downtown Dallas area.

Wednesday, 70 Downtown Safety Patrol officers joined forces with 24 Dallas police officers to help improve the quality of life in the downtown central business district, which is a major goal of Downtown Dallas, an advocacy group that is behind the coordinated effort to enforce the zero-tolerance policy on panhandling.

"There is a perception out there that there are some unsolved opportunities in downtown Dallas," said John Crawford, CEO of Downtown Dallas. "I think where the hit and miss has been is the lack of enforcement, and we are now kicking that into high gear."

The new effort isn't a popular idea to Moses Vine, a homeless veteran.

"It's just another law to keep homeless in depression," he said.

Vine sells newspapers on homeless issues for $1. Vine said it isn't panhandling since he claims to have a vendor's license. However, he admitted to panhandling in the past.

"I use the money in ways I should," he said.

Dallas police ask the public to call 911 when they see panhandling. There are cameras set up all throughout downtown to help dispatch alert officers as well. Crime is down 19 percent in the central business district, and police say they want that number to go even lower.

E-mail ddenmon@wfaa.com