SAN FRANCISCO: A change in plans for mayor's idea to install meters for the homeless

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 10/28/8 | Heather Knight

[SmithL]

We told you back in May about Mayor Gavin Newsom's plan to install 10 bright orange parking meters - dubbed homeless meters - around the city with signs reading "Be a part of change. Don't give change."

The idea was for people to drop their nickels and dimes into meters instead of giving them to panhandlers, and the money would be dispersed to nonprofits serving homeless people. The installation of the meters was supposedly just weeks away, but as you may have noticed, they're still not up.

Turns out the message wasn't exactly received the way the mayor wanted. People thought the idea was funny, and it's not supposed to be. So his staff will unveil the meters in February along with a marketing campaign to educate people about the serious consequences of giving money to panhandlers instead of legitimate charities.

"It's a sexy thing for people to mock and minimize," Newsom said of the homeless meters, noting he's working on a way to get the message out to the public directly without, ahem, the media framing the story.

"It will be a really exciting, organized effort to use the meters to strengthen the conversation around poverty," he said.

[SmithL]

"It's a sexy thing for people to mock and minimize," Newsom said . . .

whether you like it or not!

[pnh102]

Too bad that Gavin Newsom is who he is. These meters are actually a good idea.

[mgc1122]

Just when I think San Francisco can’t possibly get any more ridiculous ...

[beezdotcom]

These meters are actually a good idea.

Only if the homeless person is standing right next to them. Otherwise, there no visible way to "assauge guilt" when confronted with the panhandler, and people will just 'buy them off' anyway...

[bert]

.....use the meters to strengthen the conversation around poverty......

The meters are a do it yourself tax.

[wrench]

Atlanta already has them............

[BenLurkin]

Worse even than the existing dumb tax.

At least with that I have a one in an 18 million chance of winning riches.

[Above My Pay Grade]

Funny, when I read the headline, I thought they were planning to require the homeless to feed meters to pay for sidewalk space for sleeping or panhandling.

Now, THAT idea might have some merit. :)

I can actually understand the idea behind the meters. Many people want to help people with genuine needs, but don’t want to give to scammers or for the homeless to buy drugs or booze.

That said, I can’t imagine the government doing a good job allocating the change. Give to a local, faith based charity.

[andy58-in-nh]

How about vending machines stocked with bum wines?

[Larry Lucido]

This isn't a new idea. But at least the Lions' machines gave you a gumball for your money.

[Lancey Howard]

Funny, when I read the headline, I thought they were planning to require the homeless to feed meters to pay for sidewalk space for sleeping or panhandling.

Har! That was my first thought as well.
Turns out they are actually stupidity meters. How stupid do you have to be to put money in them?

[Lancey Howard]

...Or a “meter” that a bum can drop a quarter into and get a gulp of Mad Dog 20/20 from a spigot sticking out the side?

[andy58-in-nh]

Absolutely. Let them have a variety from which to choose their next hangover: Wild Irish Rose, Thunderbird, Ripple, Night Train, Boone’s Farm: a veritable wino variety pack.

[Lancey Howard]

Let them have a variety from which to choose their next hangover: Wild Irish Rose, Thunderbird, Ripple, Night Train, Boone’s Farm: a veritable wino variety pack.

Yeah, who says a San Fransicko bum can't be a connoisseur?

[pepperdog]

I'd like to see a show of hands of everyone that believes the money would actual “trickle down” to the homeless. Politicians have more ways to dip into the public pockets than Carters has Little Liver Pills (is my age showing?)Liberals are ludicrous, they always want everyones money, even the homeless people's panhandling take. If it weren't so outrageous it'd be simply stupid, but then there are those who would rather put it in a meter than actually donate time or money to any religion or decent organization like the Salvation Army, my charity of choice, that actually helps these people.

[andy58-in-nh]

Yeah, who says a San Fransicko bum can't be a connoisseur?

I think that should read "conno-sewer".

[Lancey Howard]

LOL, there's the Mad Dog!

[swift15]

San Francisco supports and promotes panhandling and is continually confused about the growing number of panhandlers.

[Oatka]

That said, I can’t imagine the government doing a good job allocating the change.

They'd take half for "administrative purposes". Taken from an old joke that said that giving money to the government was like transferring blood from one arm to the other - and losing 50% in the process.

[oyez]

The idea was for people to drop their nickels and dimes into meters instead of giving them to panhandlers,

The bums in this town come right out and ask for folding money. They would use colorful language about you if you offered pocket change.

I'm sure if Newsom took a stroll down the Embarcadero, a panhandler would be not able to get with in 100 feet of his-honor.