An amazing thing has happened in the 800 block of East Yosemite. In the past three weeks the 7-Eleven has gone from being a magnet for homeless who borderline aggressively panhandle and set up shop in front of the store and an adjacent tanning salon to one where panhandlers have dropped almost to zilch. What happened? Was it stepped up police enforcement? No. It was education. In front of the store is a balanced and courteously worded sign that does not disparage but simply asks people to refrain from giving money to panhandlers due to safety concerns for customers and nearby neighbors. There indeed have been moments in recent months where panhandlers were getting aggressive and were targeting women in particularly because they might be more easily intimidated simply by being approached and not necessarily getting an “in the face” treatment. It’s a subtle form of coercion that the courts say is perfectly legal. Aggressive, of course, is in the eyes of the beholder but as more and more homeless/panhandlers flocked to the location, there were more than a few that were clearly aggressive and lingered way too long.