MANCHESTER, NH (WMUR/CNN) - The city of Manchester, New Hampshire has put up signs urging drivers not to give money to people panhandling on the street.
The police chief said while the message may seem harsh, it's based on an effort to fight the drug crisis.
The signs asked drivers to instead give their money to local charities to help those in need.
During the evening commute on Elm Street, a man holds a sign reading “homeless please help” while standing in front of the city's new sign that tells drivers “your generosity could lead to a fatality, please donate to a local charity.”
It lists places to go for food, shelter and help.
This man said that not everyone is an addict; some people just have hard times.
Manchester police said they're concerned because between 2015 and June 1 this year, 24 people involved with panhandling overdosed and 6 of them died.
"The large majority of that population are feeding some sort of addiction or have some underlying mental illness,” Manchester police Chief Nick Willard said.
“To just give them $5 and potentially lead to a fatal overdose, I'm sure that's not what the person who's giving would really want."
The organizations listed on the new signs agree, saying give to them if you really want to help.
"I think it's a great idea. I hope people listen to it and think of what's behind the sign. You know, let's get people into organizations that can help them up and out," Families in Transition President Maureen Beauregard said.
Some drivers still open their windows and wallets in front of the new sign. Others said they are heeding this advice.
"These guys walk right up to your window and kind of hold that sign right in front of your face, make you feel guilty, and who knows what they do with the money," one driver said.
This city is clearly saying that money should be steered to organizations that can help.
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