Instead of seeing signs asking for money, motorists along South 320th Street in Federal Way may notice something different on April 28.

Federal Way resident Tony Pagliocco plans to take a stand against panhandling along with anyone from the community who wants to join him.

“I want to emphasize this isn’t against people who want help,” said Pagliocco, who runs the blog Federal Way Tony at federalwaytony.com. “We are going to have resource sheets to offer people who maybe don’t know of the resources in the city. We are going to bring sandwiches. If they are really hungry, we are going to give them food and water. … We want to be sensitive, but we also want the city to know that this is destroying a lot of opportunity in a great city.”

Pagliocco said he has noticed a number of panhandlers on the street corners in the city, including many who are there regularly.

“I sort of classify panhandling into two groups,” he said. “There’s people who really want help and there’s people who are essentially scamming our citizens – whether it is for drug use, gambling or just a way to make a tax-free income.”

Pagliocco said he plans to start the day at Marista’s Coffee Shop, 1301 S. 320th St., and make his way east on 320th, stopping at corners with panhandlers. He will have signs with messages encouraging people to donate to local charities that help those in need instead of giving to panhandlers.

“We are not going to engage anyone in a belittling way,” he said. “I want to keep parties separate. Outside of offering a sandwich and resources, I am going to be very strong that if they are on this side of the street, we are on the other side of the street. … I don’t want someone who really needs help to feel like they are being demeaned, but we also need to bring awareness that this is an issue.”

He hopes Saturday’s event accomplishes three things.

“One, to make aware to people that they have other alternatives to give money (to panhandlers),” he said. “Two, hopefully the panhandlers who are not morally ethical will get the hint that the citizens of the city are tired of this and maybe they will move on and try working a different area. Third, is ultimately to raise awareness with the city that it is time for them to take action on this.”

While the courts have ruled that panhandling is protected under free speech, Pagliocco said there are other ordinances the city could explore such as solicitation neutral ordinances, which would require anyone asking for anything to have a permit.

“Gig Harbor fines the person who gives money, which has been a deterrent,” he said. “Fining the person who is actually panhandling doesn’t really work because those fines hardly ever get paid.”

Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell said the city has been as stringent as possible when dealing with panhandling and reviewed its ordinances several years ago. Panhandlers are not allowed to obstruct traffic, engage in aggressive begging or ask for money near ATMs, according to the city’s ordinances.

“People have a constitutional right to beg,” Ferrell said. “You can’t interfere with that constitutional right. … We are not going to criminalize free speech behavior. We have looked at this many times.”

Ferrell said the city’s police officers are equipped with a list of resources to provide to those they encounter who are in need of services.

For more information about Pagliocco’s efforts, visit facebook.com/events/191822594760725/.

Tony Pagliocco