Panhandling Persists at Village Mall

Above, a family spent part of Friday, 7/21 soliciting funds in front of a "no panhandling" sign. The group later exited the area in a late-model minivan with Virginia plates.

Panhandling at the Village Mall has become an issues in recent years, prompting the management to post a sign prohibiting the practice on their property. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Franklin Police Department Sergeant Connor Crosman explained what his department has seen, of late:

"We received two calls for well-being checks at the Franklin Village Mall on 7/15 and 7/19. [In] both calls the reporting parties were patrons of the plaza who called in requesting the checks because there were small children with adults asking for money as people were leaving the plaza. On 7/15 the parties left prior to our arrival and on 7/19 officers spoke with the individuals and offered a number of services. No one was out asking for money while officers were there.

"It's important for people to understand that although panhandlers may make some people feel uncomfortable, panhandling is NOT illegal in Massachusetts. In 2020 the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled an anti-panhandling law unconstitutional. Justice Barbara Lenk said in her decision, "There can be little doubt that signaling to, stopping, or accosting motor vehicles for the purpose of soliciting donations on one’s own behalf poses no greater threat to traffic safety than engaging in the same conduct for other non-prohibited or exempted purposes, such as gathering signatures for a petition, flagging down a taxicab, selling newspapers or soliciting donations for a nonprofit organization."

"The Village Mall Plaza has a no panhandling sign at the entrance which is the property's right as it’s a privately owned property. If property managers want to have the parties removed from the property, they typically call us and we assist with facilitating a trespass from the property. We'd encourage everyone to give us a call if they're concerned for their own safety of the safety and well-being of those who may be asking for money. There are several area services we can provide to help those who might be experiencing difficult times."