After becoming “fed up with the homeless situation in the area and seeing able-bodied young people begging for money” Chris Burnett, manager of Rocky Mountain Pawn and Gun, says he and others put up a display of skeletons at the shop at East Animas Road (County Road 250) and 32nd Street. One skeleton holds a sign reading “Won’t Work For Food.” In the last year, city and business district officials have worked to address the increasing number of downtown panhandlers. The City Council last year passed two ordinance, one making it illegal for any panhandler to touch, threaten or try to start a fight with passers-by, or from blocking the sidewalk. The second ordinance prohibits anyone from standing on certain medians along Camino del Rio because of safety issues.
After becoming “fed up with the homeless situation in the area and seeing able-bodied young people begging for money” Chris Burnett, manager of Rocky Mountain Pawn and Gun, says he and others put up a display of skeletons at the shop at East Animas Road (County Road 250) and 32nd Street. One skeleton holds a sign reading “Won’t Work For Food.” In the last year, city and business district officials have worked to address the increasing number of downtown panhandlers. The City Council last year passed two ordinance, one making it illegal for any panhandler to touch, threaten or try to start a fight with passers-by, or from blocking the sidewalk. The second ordinance prohibits anyone from standing on certain medians along Camino del Rio because of safety issues.Shaun Stanley/Durango Herald