Olympia and Panhandlers (Seattle, Tacoma: how much, live, homeless)

[osmama]

Hello - Since 2009 I've been an avid reader of the state of Washington posts and I've noticed comments here and there about the Olympia downtown and panhandlers/transients. How much of a problem is this for the local people, or is it not a problem?

Thank you

[NWbyNW]

I'm sure some people will see it as a problem, but it has never been a bother to me when I am downtown. There are homeless people, but in the core downtown businesses. They are not aggressive either.

You will spot more hippies and activists downtown then panhandlers.

[NWarty]

Lots of bums and panhandlers and yes, it's gotten progressively worse in the last ten years. Many younger kids asking for money. I can't sit outside and have a cigarette without having at least two people asking to bum a smoke. I stopped giving them money years ago and just say "nope, only plastic". Aggressive panhandling is something I rarely run across.

Bums passed out in alleyways, on park benches, etc. Having worked downtown, I was always picking up beer cans and had to run off several of them for peeing on my building.

The problem is also rampant on the westside with many bums standing on corners with signs and have been doing so for years. I watched a local female bum standing at a Coffee stand to get a drink. After speaking with the owner she does this several times a day.

I've lived all over the US, from the South, East Coast, Midwest, and PNW and the amount of bums and panhandlers in those parts pale in comparison to Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle.

[lady fern]

I think the downtown is about the same for panhandlers as it was back in the late 80's. I did notice a lot of people sleeping under awnings downtown last summer when I would drive to work early in the morning, though. The westside has gotten ridicilous with panhandlers on every intersection corner. Most of them have been working these corners for several years and look pretty able bodied for working. I think the mild climate and tolerant attitude of the PNW has something to do with it. And clearly they are getting money or they would give it up.

[Andy]

The city of Olympia should require a business license for solicitation. Business licenses are currently $85.