LEWISTON — The city has placed a pair of signs at a downtown intersection asking people to refrain from encouraging panhandlers.

Whether that’s a good idea or a bad one depends on who you ask.

“Please don’t encourage panhandling,” according to the signs, placed in areas including Kennedy Park and the intersection at Lisbon and Main streets. “The city and non-profits help those in need.”

“These signs are not meant to discourage compassion, but to encourage more effective ways of helping,” City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath said. “At the same time, panhandling can create challenges for our downtown as we work to make the area more inviting for residents, businesses and visitors.”

Lewiston Public Works produced four signs, city officials said, and will install the remaining signs at Main and Sabattus and Main and Canal streets. The signs at Lisbon and Main streets have been there since late August.

In the near future, city officials said, barriers will be installed at Lisbon and Main streets to discourage people from congregating there.

Reaction to the philosophy behind these moves — and the signs in particular — seems to be mixed.

“Perfect and much needed,” said Dave Marquis, of Lewiston. “I give anything to help others but how can you tell on a street corner who needs help or who’s too lazy to work? You can’t.”

Others feel that it’s more a matter of public safety to discourage people to have interactions on busy corners.

“Panhandling at intersections is very dangerous,” Tizz Crowley said.

Others, however, are concerned that for some homeless people, relying on the kindness of strangers by panhandling is their only hope for sustenance.

“As someone who works closely with our un-housed individuals and represents many of the nonprofits mentioned on these signs,” said Megan Parks, who created a Facebook post on the matter Thursday afternoon. “I find them deeply concerning. Not all of our local panhandlers are unhoused, and many cannot access the services the signs reference for a variety of reasons.

“These signs are demoralizing and feel aligned with hostile architecture practices that send a message of exclusion rather than compassion,” Parks said. “This is not how Lewiston should represent itself. “

The matter of the signs was addressed at a City Council meeting in July where Kaenrath said the city is taking a “serious and proactive stand against panhandling and loitering in our downtown.”

At the meeting, Kaenrath described the corner of Lisbon and Main as among the most problematic for panhandling. He also cited Kennedy Park as a troublesome area.

But Parks feels that the community itself should have been a bigger part of the discussion.

“As a city,” she said, “we should be engaging in open dialogue and thoughtful solutions that reflect dignity, not messaging that risks further stigmatizing our neighbors.”

Jimi Cutting, who helps to operate a homeless shelter for men, described the signs as “a nightmare,” saying that they may make those in need more wary of seeking help.

“Signs like this,” Cutting said, “only create more stigma and obstacles.”

The message printed upon the signs does not imply that legal action will be taken against those who provide assistance to panhandlers. It also does not outright prohibit panhandling in those areas.

“These signs aren’t my favorite, Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said, “but panhandling isn’t either. If these signs result in a reduction of panhandling on our city sidewalks, then I’m supportive.”