In response to businesses’ concerns about panhandlers, downtown, ambassadors in blue on Tuesday started extending a warm welcome to summer tourists along Main Avenue.

Six people hired by the Business Improvement District will answer questions from tourists, and they will help offset the negative image some business owners and managers feel panhandlers create.

“We’re trying to counter that with some friendly, smiling, welcoming folks,” said Tim Walsworth, the director of the BID.

Panhandlers became more visible last summer after the Durango Police Department stopped enforcing a law that prohibited all loitering for purposes of begging. In fall 2014, the city received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union that stated the law violated the constitutional right to freedom of speech. The city has since revised laws around loitering.

This year, BID is dedicating about 7 to 8 percent of its $300,000 budget to programs focused on the issue.

“Our constituents are concerned about it, and they are looking for some help,” Walsworth said.

BID and the Durango Chamber of Commerce are spending $12,000 to have two ambassadors helping out downtown for a few hours each day until Labor Day weekend. They will be working from in the middle of the day Sunday through Wednesday and in the evening Thursday through Saturday.

Ginny Chambers and Sheri Rochford Figgs were the first two to start on Thursday, and they were enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge of the area and helping tourists feel safe.

“We’re just trying to be more positive and proactive,” Rochford Figgs said.

While the ambassadors were not hired to work with panhandlers, if they see illegal activity they will call the Durango Police Department, Walsworth said.

“They will have that number on speed dial,” he said.

The ambassadors are a positive twist, and they may help distract tourists from the problem, said Michelle Thom the general manager of the Strater Hotel.

“I think the Business Improvement District actually trying to do something positive is very admirable,” she said.

This spring, transients have been hiding and sleeping on the Strater Hotel’s property, and in response, the hotel has increased its security, said General Manager Michelle Thom.

“It’s becoming more brazen,” she said.

She is also getting comments and complaints from tourists, and she would like to see the city help BID and take more steps to help address the issue.

Micki Hassemer, a co-owner of Sticks and Stones on Main Avenue, hasn’t had negative experiences with panhandlers. But as a former Los Angeles resident Hassemer finds the new ambassadors encouraging especially compared with how Los Angeles has handled its social issues.

“The way the situation is totally ignored and not handled was really disturbing,” she said, of the Southern California city’s approach.

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Business district urges: Give to charity, not panhandlers

Opportunities to give to charity instead of panhandlers will be widespread this summer.
The Business Improvement District will distribute about 100 donation boxes at businesses so donations will go to the
Manna Soup Kitchen
and the
Durango Community Shelter
instead of panhandlers, said Tim Walsworth, district director.
The Make it Count Campaign was launched in the fall after panhandling became visible along Main Avenue, and the clearly labeled donation boxes should appear on business counters Friday.
Other communities have been successful with the strategy, and BID hopes to raise $5,000 by Labor Day, Walsworth said.
Animas Trading Co. owner Cathy Wakeman said she believes it is important to help the soup kitchen and the shelter provides services.
She also hopes it will reduce panhandling. “If they are not making money, they will move on to somewhere else,” she said.