Officials in Rapid City are attempting to curb panhandling with what they call giving meters. The converted parking meters are painted red and yellow and located in downtown Rapid City. Officials say they hope the meters spark a chain of giving in the area.
The giving meters are the result of a joint effort between the Rapid City Police Department and Destination Rapid City.
Brendyn Medina is with the Rapid City Police Department. He says panhandling in Rapid City has been an issue for some time, and that people are often weary of giving spare change to those who do it.
“Just the hopes that we can install these Giving Meters and show people that there’s a way to donate your money and be 100 percent sure that you know where the money’s going and it’s going to a good cause,” says Medina.
Officials chose the downtown Rapid City area for the meters because of Main Street Square’s prominence. Dan Senftner is president of Destination Rapid City. He hopes more meters can be placed in other areas in the future.
“So we’re looking at this as a variety of ways that, now we start with two meters, maybe we get two more meters down the road and pretty soon there’s some revenue generating that can make a difference to some of these organizations,” says Senftner.
Officials say the non-profit recipients of the meter donations will change frequently. Read more about the Giving Meters here.