The police warn of an increase in the number of actions intended for the funeral of a child

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – An increase in the number of panhandlers spotted in Springfield is being met with a new effort to tackle the problem.

“We’ve seen more panhandlers popping up and that all happened after the Supreme Court passed a few years ago to basically legalize it,” said Ryan Walsh, spokesperson for the Springfield Police Department.

Posting on social media, police said: “We have seen an increase in the number of people traipsing around the city under the guise of raising money for a funeral for a deceased child. We have yet to see that any of these requests are legitimate.” The post prompted comments from the community, including “They are all walking along Boston Road today begging for money” and “As long as they are rewarded, they will not stop.” One person added that they seem to have become more active, saying: “They come out into the street and walk past the cars waiting at traffic lights.”

Walsh urged residents to do their research before giving these individuals money. “Do your own research, but if that’s the case, if it’s true that the internet is true, they’re going to raise more money in a GoFundMe, it’ll move faster. These things are just not legit,” he explained.

A new attempt to tackle the problem is putting up signs urging people not to give money directly to beggars, but instead to help in other ways by donating to programs to help those in need. Western Mass News spoke with Kathleen Brown, president of the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, who is hopeful this can help.

“We have to say no to beggars. Each of us has the ability to influence the outcome of this program,” Brown said.

Brown shared some of the locations her community requested for these “Say No” deceptive signs, including Exit 4, near St. James Avenue, just outside Springfield Plaza, and near St. James Avenue and St. James Boulevard. It is estimated that there will be approximately 180 new signs throughout the city.

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