Addressing root causes of squeegee work is monumental task with ‘no silver bullet,’ Baltimore officials agree

After a deadly confrontation between a group of squeegee workers and a baseball bat-wielding driver earlier this month reignited a longstanding political debate about poverty, structural racism and public safety in Baltimore, officials expressed widespread agreement that addressing the root causes of panhandling is a monumental task — one the city needs to prioritize. Many of the young people who wash windshields for money at busy downtown intersections are there out of necessity. Before they can transition to gainful employment, their basic needs must be met, officials said Wednesday during a hearing before a City Council committee.