You Can Now Dial 311 to Report Panhandling in Dallas

On November 1, the City of Dallas kicked off a six-month pilot program encouraging motorists to call 311 to report panhandling. Signs have been placed at nine intersections across Dallas urging drivers to report people soliciting donations to the city's non-emergency 311 number and to donate to nonprofits and organizations rather than directly to those asking for money. According to The Dallas Morning News, city marshals and crisis intervention caseworkers will respond to areas where panhandling is reported and provide referrals to homeless service providers and other groups for help with housing, food, mental health, or physical ailments.

 

Most Addison residents might not realize that the Dallas Police Department has jurisdictional authority over all of the intersections along the Dallas Parkway (northbound and southbound) from Spring Valley Road to Frankford Road. They also have jurisdiction over the Belt Line Road intersections east of the Dallas North Tollway. When an incident, or panhandler, is reported along these streets, Dallas Police is dispatched to respond, although the Addison Police Department (APD) will provide backup support when it is requested.

 

Over the next six months, APD encourages residents to participate in Dallas' pilot program by calling 311 when they see people soliciting money at these Dallas intersections. If you see panhandling in Addison's borders, you can report it by calling Addison's non-emergency number at 972-450-7156 or *247 from your mobile phone.