Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett introduced a new initiative Monday to stop panhandling in the county in an effort to prevent deadly accidents.
If you drive around in Montgomery County, it’s not too difficult to spot someone soliciting for money. But what was once a pace up and down the side of the roadway, has become a dangerous game of weaving through traffic.
Because panhandling has become deadly within the last few months, Leggett is launching a campaign called "Give a Hand-up, Not a Hand-out." The new program encourages drivers to donate to county social services rather than giving cash directly to panhandlers.
Montgomery County officials said the initiative is in response to the death of 52-year-old Mary Fish, a known panhandler killed in traffic in the Wheaton area in May.
