Dallas 7-Eleven Stores Add Security to Stop Panhandling

DALLAS — 7-Eleven will add security to 10 Dallas locations following complaints about panhandlers in the area. Local Farmers Market Stakeholders Association President Tanya Ragan previously urged residents of downtown Dallas to demand that the convenience store chain take action to prevent panhandlers from loitering outside its stores, reported the Dallas Morning News.

The extra security will be in place from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. 7-Eleven evaluates the necessity of adding security to stores on a case-by-case basis, the company said.

"The safety and well-being of our 7-Eleven employees and customers is a top priority," said Mark Stinde, vice president of asset protection for 7-Eleven. "In the case of Downtown Dallas, we determined that additional security was needed to patrol stores. That may not always be the case, but today it is."

Solicitation of money, whether for personal gain or for charity, is illegal in the Downtown, Deep Ellum, Victory Park and Uptown neighborhoods, the according to the news outlet. Asking for money elsewhere is legal unless the requester is aggressive or panhandling near a gas pump or ATM. Violators may be asked to move along, ticketed with a fine of up to $500 or arrested depending on their behavior.