2 dozen city anti-panhandling signs stolen in Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - City officials in Bloomington say someone has stolen two dozen signs put up a week ago that encourage donations to nonprofits instead of giving money to panhandlers.

The city put up the signs last week in the downtown area. They read "Please help. Don't encourage panhandling. Contribution to the solution." A website is provided where people can find a list of charities that work to eliminate homelessness.

Bloomington communications director Mary Catherine Carmichael tells The (Bloomington) Herald-Times that (http://bit.ly/2e9Abdt ) of the 28 signs put up, 24 of them were missing late Tuesday afternoon. She says the city would like the signs returned but will have more signs made if necessary. City officials say they're considering the sign removal vandalism.

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Information from: The Herald Times, http://www.heraldtimesonline.com