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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis city leaders say panhandling is a major problem in downtown Memphis, and it’s driving some tourists away.
About 20 community leaders are addressing the panhandling problem in Memphis.
They want to put panhandlers to work.
They met at Calvary Episcopal Church to discuss ways to get homeless people off the streets.
They’re proposing a plan similar to the one in Albuquerque, New Mexico where they pay about ten people $9.00 an hour to do jobs offered through Public Works such as picking up trash.
Mayor Jim Strickland of Memphis said this is a good model and plans to contact Albuquerque to learn more about their program.
