http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-872450.mp3
Kansas City, MO – There are a few street corners in Kansas City where you almost always see someone with a sign asking passers-by for money or food. But if you've driven by any of those typical spots in downtown during the past few months, you may have noticed that, instead of panhandlers, the corner is occupied by a cheery worker in a yellow windbreaker waving a sign that reads "Have a Great Day."
It's the latest strategy of the Downtown Community Improvement District to deal with panhandling in a hands-off, non-confrontational way. KCUR's Alex Smith has spent some time downtown in the past few weeks talking to the workers and the panhandlers affected by the campaign.
See information distributed by Downtown Community Improvement District security employees about panhandlers:
http://www.downtownkc.org/FileUploads/EmergencyResourceGuide.pdf
This story was produced for KC Currents. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents Podcast.
