by Nick Delgado

Guam - The number of panhandlers are on the rise this month, according to Tamuning Mayor-Elect Louise Rivera. She says it's almost daily that she has to remind these individuals who post up at busy intersections in her village that it is illegal to solicit from the median or on the roadway. Rivera says she also has to constantly call in police to assist with ensuring these individuals are in compliance. She adds public solicitation is only allowed from the sidewalks from sunrise to sunset, and for the handful of these panhandlers it's pretty much become a way of life.

"We here at the mayor's office do not authorize anyone to be out there soliciting, we will help to raise funds another way," she said. "With the others that hold out their bucket with a card board saying for medical attention, they are taking advantage of our good people here on Guam."

Motorists who do come across these individuals on the street are asked to kindly have them visit their village mayor to find safer options to fundraise.