Springfield residents speak out over plan for anti-panhandling signs [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – People are reacting to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno’s plan to combat panhandling and one of those is friends with panhandlers himself.

“Some of them have mental health (issues) and some of them have other issues. I would just like to have another venue for the homeless and panhandlers to have somewhere to go,” said Preston Brown.

For at least a year, Brown has been living in his Westford Circle apartment in Springfield’s Upper Hill neighborhood, but before that, he was homeless for a few years and had made friends with panhandlers – people he still calls friends today.

“They have families that love them, but they tend to not want to be around them. Not all of them are homeless and begging. They made a choice to be there,” Brown added.

Sarno, though, wants to crack down on panhandling to avoid any traffic issues and to make sure those who stand on the streets get the help they need. As Western Mass News reported on Tuesday, the mayor announced nearly $50,000 …