Cookeville Rescue Mission Director Supports Proposed Panhandling Ordinance

“The surge in panhandling in Cookeville is a mystery to everybody.”

That’s Cookeville Rescue Mission Director Bruce Bailey. He said panhandlers run across the I-40 and Jefferson Avenue intersection and other busy streets frequently. Not only has this turned into a safety issue, he said, but an economic one as well.

“I’ve lived in other places where this kind of thing was rampant, and it does destroy or tends to tear down the city economy because people don’t want to shop, they’re afraid to go out,” Bailey said. “I think the city is wise in taking a proactive approach.”

Bailey said the Rescue Mission supports the proposed panhandling ordinance. It would prohibit business and individuals conducting commerce on sidewalks and right-of-ways.

“I’d rather see them get into some kind of well defined program with curriculum to help them deal with either homelessness and/or addictions,” Bailey said. “I think if people are making money, and I’ve heard some of the men on the streets say they’re making up to $500 a day, that word gets around.”

Although the Mission’s doors are open to anyone in need, they can only help so many people. Bailey said people have to want to seek help.

“We found that, especially with people with addiction, they get to a certain point and they just feel like they need to be free and outside,” Bailey said. “It’s a hard thing to combat lifelong practices and history of where they’ve been.”