Have a Question or Concern? Here’s Who To Call!

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upset about panhandling? Scroll down for more information.

Call 9-1-1:

  • If you feel threatened by any person

  • If you see someone in immediate danger due to injury or illness

  • If you see a homeless person being harassed or attacked

  • If you witness public nudity, urination or defecation

  • If someone is trespassing on your private property

Call Police Non-Emergency Number (972-485-4840):

  • If you see someone in immediate danger due to inclement weather conditions

Call the Garland PD Homeless Liaison (972-485-HOME):

  • If you know the location of a homeless camp

  • If you have questions about homelessness or need further information.

  • NOTE: This number is not monitored 24/7, but you can leave a message to contact you for more information.

Panhandling, Laws & Responses in Garland

Q: Why can’t the City of Garland just ban panhandling?

A: In 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled that panhandling is protected as free speech. (Reed v. Gilbert). This has resulted in the dismantling and reversal of numerous city panhandling ordinances nationwide. An informative news article about this ruling is available here: The Unexpected Reason Panhandling Bans Are Being Struck Down Across the Country

Q: So nothing can be done?

A: While there are many things that can’t be done (like banning or geographically restricting panhandling), the City of Garland recently took steps to address one of the specific safety issues affiliated with panhandling but unrelated to the free speech issues involved. Close encounters between pedestrians and vehicles at busy intersections in Garland have resulted in accidents and even pedestrian deaths in the past. In 2019 Garland approved a “Limited Pedestrian Zones” ordinance to hopefully reduce such encounters:

LIMITED PEDESTRIAN ZONES
Ordinance Passed by Garland City Council May 21, 2019 

This ordinance limits pedestrians in certain designated zones from stopping, standing, sitting or remaining on roadways, bridges, medians, crosswalks, overpasses, or viaducts longer than is necessary to cross the roadway, bridge, median, crosswalk, overpass, or viaduct.

The  ordinance also prohibits pedestrians in certain designated zones from stopping, standing, sitting or remaining  within the immediate vicinity of any vehicle stopped on a roadway.

* Forest Ln/S. Jupiter Rd.               * N. Garland Ave/Pres Geo Bush Turnpike

* Centerville Rd/IH635     * Broadway Blvd/IH30       * SH78 (Lavon)/First St.

* S. Garland Ave/IH635          * S. Shiloh/IH635             * S. Jupiter/IH635 

* NW Highway/IH635       * W. Walnut/Plano Rd.         * W. Walnut/N Jupiter