Councilman Wants Social Services Funding for Cookeville Panhandling

Councilman Charles Womack said he feels rushing to criminalize panhandling in Cookeville is premature.

Cookeville City Council did not vote on a panhandling ordinance on Thursday night. Womack said he hopes City Manager James Mills will negotiate a way to use social services, instead of law enforcement.

“I’m hoping that Mr. Mills is able to negotiate a reasonable deal with UCHRA for us to fund the services of social workers on a 24/7 basis,” Womack said.

Womack said there is increasing panhandling. After consultation, Womack said he does not feel it is a big problem at the moment. Womack said the goal is finding a way to have social workers work with law enforcement for people in need.

“Our City Manager has been talking to UCHRA about getting some type of social work as consultants to help the police take care of situations where there is some people impoverished and in need that the police run into,” Womack said.

Cookeville currently does not have the authority to give citations to people panhandling on state right of ways. Criminalizing panhandling is something that can hopefully be avoided, Womack said.

Thursday’s ordinance was not approved, it is based off an ordinance in Brentwood. Hot spots for panhandling, for instance, have been the corner of I-40 and Jefferson Avenue, and Highway 111 and I-40.