It reminds me of how no one pulls over to help people stranded on the side of the road. Eww...like...they could be a rapist/murderer/blah blah blah. Well thats a risk your selfish ass needs to take.

Sure, go ahead and make a cell phone call for the stranded motorist. But if you're in the habit of picking up strangers, yeah, you might die a martyr. A young female friend of mine in rural Kentucky let three young men into her house because they supposedly needed help getting away from someone. They promptly gang-raped her. A much older friend of mine in Illinois, a migrant worker activist and former friar, gave shelter for a few weeks to a troubled drifter, who later turned out to be the multistate railroad killer, Angel Resendez. (Luckily, my good Samaritan friend was unharmed.) My excessively benevolent mother has an occasional weakness giving rides to panicky people in rough neighborhoods ("I need milk for my baby!" or sweet-old-lady-who-can't-afford-the-bus) yet surprisingly finds that they generally turn out to be mentally ill or addicts. Lesson: if people seem scruffy, they usually are. Stereotypes are useful.

 

By all means give gas money to the mom at the gas station with the minivan and the kids in the backseat -- or a bus token to well-dressed businessman whose car has been towed. But literally every time I let my guard down when some "friendly" stranger downtown wants to chat with me, he gives me some lame sob story and tries to hit me up for my hard-earned cash. Result: I'm an impervious, uncaring, Manhattan-y hardass on the streets of the neighborhood where I live, work, and socialize. Hate to say it, but bums really do affect your quality of life and personality. I may die an asshole, and I don't care.

 

LOL. I never said anything about picking up strangers. Hey, I have AAA. The best thing in the world to have. I call AAA for them and AAA doesn't ask questions when they arrive. I'm not saying you shouldn't have common sense, and certainly women take a much bigger risk but guys should definitely stop and make sure the person is okay. We have cell phones and all kinds of wonderful technology available to help people. Use it. I know the typical signs of a con-artist. Anyone who shakes my hand before they start talking to me is a con artist. The routine is pretty typical with them.

If they're pretty convincing then I probably do. There are people in Clifton Heights who do sleep on concrete every night. I guess because the drop-in center only accepts people for a few weeks or whatever. It's hard for some people to understand that there's some people with mental disorders and who have no resources, no foundation, family, etc because it's not an issue most people deal with themselves and it's not something they've ever been surrounded by. It's funny to hear stories from my friends who spend 2-3k to fly over to Honduras or some other random countries to do community service--they feel all righteous about helping out a community for a few weeks when there's ways they could help here in their own city (for FREE). I guess people really like to travel but charity starts at home.

 

Amen, brother. A-effin'-men.

" Stereotypes are useful."

 

 

You're totally right. For example, right now I'm assuming you're from Hyde Park or West Chester.

 

Seriously. I know what you're saying but you can't always judge a book by its cover.

 

If nothing else, a Colt 45 at least has calories.      

 

This is now my favorite quote!  Mind if I use it?

 

I'm an impervious, uncaring, Manhattan-y hardass on the streets of the neighborhood where I live, work, and socialize. Hate to say it, but bums really do affect your quality of life and personality. I may die an asshole, and I don't care.

 

 

That's more like it!

 

" Stereotypes are useful."

 

 

Seriously. I know what you're saying but you can't always judge a book by its cover.

 

 

I respect the fact that you "get it" but you are misusing that axiom when you apply it to this discussion.  The spirit of it is to discourage prejudice (which is wrong)...what I see this discussion being about is self-preservation and using wise judgment.

Result: I'm an impervious, uncaring, Manhattan-y hardass on the streets of the neighborhood where I live, work, and socialize. Hate to say it, but bums really do affect your quality of life and personality. I may die an asshole, and I don't care.

 

Agreed, and it's a shame.  Because, believe it or not, I like to be a nice guy and help people out.  But I've been screwed over too many times.  So now if you come up to me on the street and I don't know you it's "f' off pal!" (alright, a firm and irritated "no" actually)  Civil society breaks down this way, but it's not my fault.  Being a rube will only perpetuate the situation, not heal it.  That's also why I am so strenuously arguing this point.  You guys may think you're helping out, but quite the opposite, you're perpetuating the problem.

I'm an impervious, uncaring, Manhattan-y hardass on the streets of the neighborhood where I live, work, and socialize.

 

I believe the correct term is "Live, work and play".

 

I'm an impervious, uncaring, Manhattan-y hardass on the streets of the neighborhood where I live, work, and socialize. Hate to say it, but bums really do affect your quality of life and personality. I may die an asshole, and I don't care.

 

 

That's more like it!

 

" Stereotypes are useful."

 

 

Seriously. I know what you're saying but you can't always judge a book by its cover.

 

 

I respect the fact that you "get it" but you are misusing that axiom when you apply it to this discussion.  The spirit of it is to discourage prejudice (which is wrong)...what I see this discussion being about is self-preservation and using wise judgment.

 

Im confused...are you saying you can't discourage prejudice while still using good judgement?

 

 

 

I believe the correct term is "Live, work and play".

 

That phrase never gets old :-D

 

Im confused...are you saying you can't discourage prejudice while still using good judgement?

 

 

I think my point is pretty clear.  What do you think I meant?  Elaborate on what part confuses you.

This proposal for Louisville seems very reasonable. The proposal would go far in removing panhandling in the downtown districts, and would further remove the stigma that downtown is unsafe, especially after nightfall. Appearantly, most of the aggressive panhandling that occurs today is done by a small subset of homeless or pretending homeless. The full article is below --

 

Under the proposal, panhandling would be prohibited when done:

# In an aggressive manner in any public place.

# On private or residential property after having been asked to refrain.

# Within 20 feet of an ATM, a bus stop, an outdoor dining or merchandise area, any school building or playground when school is in session or during school-related activities, or entrance to a public restroom.

# While a person is driving or an occupant of a motor vehicle; or in exchange for blocking, occupying or reserving a public parking space.

# In any public transportation vehicle.

# Within 6 feet of an entrance to any public building.

# After dark.

# "Aggressive" panhandling is defined as:

# Touching or causing physical contact with another person without consent.

# Blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle.

# Using obscene or abusive language or gestures.

# Following a person who has denied the request.

 

Panhandling ban has support

City would target aggressive behavior

By Sheldon S. Shafer, The Courier-Journal, November 13, 2007

 

The Louisville Metro Council appears ready to ban "aggressive panhandling," probably when it meets next Tuesday evening, council members said yesterday.

 

One of the sponsors of the ordinance, council member David Tandy, D-4th District, said he knows of no opposition on the 26-member council.

 

At a City Hall news conference promoting the panhandling regulation, council member George Unseld, D-6th District, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said, "This ordinance is not a panacea, but if it slows it down some, that's great."

 

Tandy, Unseld and other officials said the measure tries to strike a balance between those truly in need who passively seek alms and the relatively few pushy or "professional" panhandlers who badger passers-by.

 

The ordinance provides for a fine of up to $250 and up to 90 days in jail for violators.

 

Marlene Gordon, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, said the coalition "is not opposed" to the regulation but would favor decriminalizing panhandling and will monitor the measure's enforcement.

 

"If rights are being trampled, we will jump in" and try to intervene to protect the truly needy, Gordon said in an interview.

 

The proposal would restrict the behavior of panhandlers and how and where they approach people.

 

Panhandlers, for instance, could not ask for money within 20 feet of an automated teller machine, public restroom, school, bus stop, or parking garage. Also, the measure would ban someone from saving a public parking space in exchange for cash, or from asking for money within 6 feet of a public building, while on a bus or after dark. It also prohibits "reckless" contact with another, interfering with movement or using obscene language in soliciting.

 

At the news conference, representatives of several downtown organizations and of the Greater Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau said they support the ordinance.

 

The Louisville Downtown Management District, which has a staff that walks the center city helping visitors and picking up trash, received 82 complaints about "aggressive panhandling" last year. Officials said they believe only a handful of panhandlers were responsible.

 

Jim Wood, CEO of the convention bureau, said the bureau has surveyed 20 conventions and trade shows that had meetings in downtown Louisville since 2005. Panhandling, both on the street and in skywalks, was a recurring complaint, he said, adding that the problem "leads to the perception our streets are not safe."

 

"It can put a damper on our ability to sell the city" for conventions, Wood said.

 

Visitors need to continue to see Louisville as "a hospitable and civil city," said Barry Alberts, director of the Downtown Development Corp., the city's lead agency on downtown projects.

 

The panhandling problem "is not just downtown," Unseld said, adding that problems have been reported at interstate ramps, in Old Louisville and at senior centers. Panhandlers, he said, "go where they feel comfortable and can get in and get out."

 

The ordinance would replace a longstanding "begging" measure that officials said is almost unenforceable and probably would be ruled unconstitutional if challenged in court.

 

The old ordinance says, "No person shall wander abroad and beg, nor go about from door to door of private homes or commercial and business establishments, or place himself in or on any public way or public place to beg or receive alms," or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic while soliciting..

 

Maj. Ozzy Gibson, commander of the Louisville Metro Police First Division that includes downtown, said he wasn't aware of any specific panhandling arrests. Even with the new regulation, he said, an officer would have to witness the aggressive panhandling before making an arrest, although a citizen could use the regulation to swear out a complaint against a panhandler.

 

Tandy said the council wants to use the ordinance to generate a discussion about how to meet the needs of the homeless. The measure "is not an ordinance against the homeless community," he said. "We want to educate the public" on how to help them.

 

Gordon said a recent survey in Denver found that people were giving about $4 million a year in handouts to panhandlers. That money probably would do much more good if donated to service agencies that help the homeless and other indigents, Gordon said.

 

"We want to work together to find better solutions" to homelessness, she said. "Our goal is collaboration."

Not to random bums, only the ones I am friends with.

My family is full of leeching bums. Thank God I don't have 40 something cousins like MTS, it's already bad enough. My brother asks me for rides whenever I'm in Columbus and flat out stole my bedframe when I stored it at my mom's house. He also steals all of my non-preppy clothes. I can't imagine all the free labor they're going to want from me if I go to law school.

I don't give money to panhandlers, ever... (I always wish I had some McDonald's gift certificates in my pocket)

 

But I do buy the Homeless Grapevine every time someone is selling it at the West Side Market, and I do throw a buck in the sax case of the guy who plays Take Me Out to the Ballgame outside the Jake on East 9th on game days, and I do give money every Thanksgiving to the City Mission, so I feel that I do my part.

 

Yeah, I help out the Homeless Grapevine people. Usually though, I don't give homeless people money.

Pro bono publico!

lol

I always ran into bums in Cincinnati... on Colerain Ave down by the ghetto gas station at the bottom of the hill and also colerain ave at 275.. I generally give them change.. sometimes.. unles I'm in the mood for a little fun.. like we use to do back in the day when I was a brat.. throw things at them.. such as eggs in the face when they come over to the car for change.. .. man I use to be a meanie.. things you do in your youth

There's a audacious professional panhandler who's been working Fort Wayne for at least ten years, and he turns up everywhere. He's a decently-dressed and -groomed black man about 40 who's really smooth and has a variety of plausible-sounding hard-luck stories, some involving car breakdowns.

 

He apparently doesn't have a memory for faces, though. He's approached me several times and on other occasions has approached other people in my presence. One Sunday as I was walking home from church, he came up to me on a street near my house and told me a story about needing to get home to Cleveland and his car ran out of gas and he didn't have any money. I actually gave him money that time, but that was the only time. That night I was sitting with a friend in a neighborhood tavern and he came up to my friend and said, "Hey, man! I recognize you. Where did you go to school?" My friend being naive and gullible started to take the bait. I motioned for the bartender, who threw the panhandler out. He yelled "Snitch!" at me as he left.

 

Before they secured the office building where I worked, he approached me for a handout in the first floor corridor outside the cafeteria one day. I just called the security guard, whose desk was about thirty feet away. Last fall one day he was going door-to-door in my neighborhood; maybe he lives nearby.

 

Since then, I've seen him working the customers inside fast-food restaurants, the post office parking lot ("Sir, could you do me a Christian favor?") and on various downtown streets. Last Saturday night I was in Borders and saw him hitting up various teenage customers. I pointed him out to the store manager. Some time later when I left, he was waiting in the parking lot. I managed to get to my car and get out before he could get to me, but he was yelling "F*ck You! I'm gonna' beat your ass! Before, I considered him a nuisance; now that I know he's dangerous, the next time I see him I'll call the police. I'd like to get a photo and circulate it via a couple of local blogs, but I won't put myself at risk to do it.

^damn

Rob, dahling, have you gotten soft, possibly complacent??    :wtf:

 

Rob, can you just eliminate them?  :evil:

 

It would be imprudent to eliminate all my enemies. I need to keep a few around for practice, to keep me on top of my game and to avoid the onset of complacency.

I never give money to homeless people. I also don't call them bums. I try to have total respect for them .. they are still, after all, human beings, and I try to see them in that way. I don't know their situation or what has caused them to go "off the rails", so to speak.

 

I don't condone such behavior, though. At the end of the day .. they have a choice. They can choose to work and better their lives, or they can choose to try and mooch off of other people. I won't pander to that. I will buy them food sometimes, though. It depends.

 

Rob, dahling, have you gotten soft, possibly complacent??    :wtf:

 

Not at all, my dear. As one reaches "a certain age" one must adapt. I leave the menial tasks to others. Besides, the cops can carry weapons legally.

 

Call it outsourcing.

Rob, dahling, have you gotten soft, possibly complacent??    :wtf:

 

Not at all, my dear. As one reaches "a certain age" one must adapt. I leave the menial tasks to others. Besides, the cops can carry weapons legally.

 

Call it outsourcing.

Outsourcing...humm.  Ft. Wayne thanks you for reinvesting in your local economy.

CITY COUNCIL HEARING

City seeks to rein in pushy panhandlers

Wednesday,  June 18, 2008 3:14 AM

By Bobby Pierce

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Columbus' panhandlers might have to watch their step to continue soliciting in the city.

 

Aggressive panhandling was the topic at a City Council public hearing last night. Councilman Andrew Ginther moderated the testimony of 12 Columbus residents, as well as the deputy safety director, assistant city attorney and a police officer.

 

"You can't simply throw panhandlers in jail," Ginther had said last week. "Some are following people for blocks. In the university area, people feel badgered and threatened; they are coming up to people at the ATM."

 

Under current law, begging is prohibited within 20 feet of a bank or ATM and at bus stops. A new proposal would increase the bank and ATM distance to 25 feet, and also prohibit panhandling near parking meters, parking lots, pay phones and within 20 feet of a sidewalk cafe.

 

[email protected]

 

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/06/18/Panhandling.ART_ART_06-18-08_B1_C1AH7E9.html?sid=101

For the truly homeless, arresting panhandlers is about as effective as putting ole' B Spears or Lindsay Lohan in rehab. It does deter some of the folks that are "professionals"...but even they aren't as common as one would like to think. Hell some people aggressively panhandle to go to jail, especially in the winter.

 

Anyway, the old C-Bus government has never had a good handle on their homeless. Instead of offering decent social service programs in the only large Ohio city that could afford it, they've decided to use the police to shuffle 'em around the High St. corridor like a cheap deck of cards. It's a strange dance that has been going on for at least 30 years from what I can tell.

 

 

good riddance.  Aggressive panhandling is a digusting tactic and I support any legislation prohibiting it.

 

 

Wow, that's comical.  So they're wasting taxpayer money to propose a new law that would add 5 feet the anti-panhandling radius for ATM's?  Absolutely ridiculous.

 

 

Cincinnati requires folks to be licensed to panhandle.  An appalling violation of the first amendment, in my opinion...from another thread:

 

I've hated this law for years...here's what I wrote on it three years ago:

 

I just cannot believe the discussion we're having here about the new panhandling ordinance.  Now I'm personally a very non-confrontational person, and definitely feel uncomfortable when I'm approached by someone asking for money.  I understand why people don't like panhandling, and thus why the City Council wants to stamp it out.  I agree with the sentiment, and would love to see the day when people didn't panhandle, when people didn't make other people uncomfortable, when everybody was nice and welcoming and we were all able to parallel park.  But just look at this: we are requiring people to register to speak.

 

Now I understand that the city government has an interest in requiring registration for people to do certain things - selling hot dogs on street corners, hosting crowds in one's building, driving on city maintained streets.  But this is not driving - there is not special right enshrined in the constitution to automote; it certainly has nothing to do with fire codes; and while the hot dog vendor's registration may seem like an apt analogy, it isn't.  The public has a stronger interest in not getting hepatitis than it has in protecting the right of someone to peddle his wares license-free.  The public does not, I believe, have a stronger interest in not occasionally feeling uncomfortable than it has in not letting its government deal out license requirements for people whose speech makes them feel uncomfortable.  And whatever language this may be dressed up in, it is about being able to arrest certain people for asking you for money.  Not charities or political candidates or churches, of course - only people with whom City Council doesn't feel comfortable.

 

As an aside, I am not some black helicopter/government is evil/Bush wants to eat your children kind of person.  I think people have been exaggerating the powers in the Patriot Act, that allowing the FBI to attend public meetings again is not the ruination of the republic, and that Nate Livingston was not a "political prisoner" or whatever nonsense.  I do, however, think that the reason we are not in danger is because as a society, we have a strongly developed sense of fairness and of our rights that nip unjust policies in the bud.  That's part of why this whole discussion bothers me so much - it goes directly against what I think is pretty basic stuff.  For example, our paper of record actually had this line in its story:

 

...the 2002 ordinance, while tough on paper, has been difficult to enforce on the streets. Most cases require a complaining witness to come to court...

 

What?  You mean the current ordinance requires due process for the accused?  And this is a bad thing?  It's so inconvenient to have to abide by the Bill of Rights, just for some beggar.  And this line:

 

They [DeWine and Crowley] hope the marriage of the get-tough registration requirement with the more compassionate social program will help pass the proposal without much of the ideological squabbling that has characterized the debate in the past.

 

Ah, I see.  So "ideological squabbling" can be smoothed over with $50K for social workers, eh?  Are you serious?  There are honestly people out there who will abandon their ideological convictions for $50K in social programs?  This is just crazy.

 

Of course, I believe that this ordinance will probably be a pretty good tool for getting rid of panhandling, will probably be good for businesses and help keep people from avoiding downtown, all of which are admirable goals.  Also admirable are goals to get the FOP and CBUF to picnic together and to make people listen to WNKU, but I don't want to give City Council the power necessary to make those happen either.  They can't even divvy up office furniture among themselves without requiring police intervention.

What do they want people to do, call 911 over panhandlers?  That should work well considering, in my experience, Cincinnati police take 45 minutes to show up after they're called.

where was this? Steelyard Commons?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25246215/

Specter of stricter rules doesn't faze panhandlers

Thursday,  June 19, 2008 3:28 AM

By Aaron Beck

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Just before noon yesterday, Michael Shane Clark Jr. sat on a park bench at N. High and Long streets. The 33-year-old's day was unfolding the way most have during the past three months.

 

Since being evicted from an apartment near Morse Road and Cleveland Avenue, Clark, who lives off a monthly Social Security check, has hit the streets at 8 or 9 a.m.

 

[email protected]

 

Dispatch reporter Kristy Eckert contributed to this story.

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/06/19/0_PANHANDLING.ART_ART_06-19-08_A1_7GAHHND.html?sid=101

I know this is going to sound mean and uncaring, but why give to the panhandlers?  You're only inviting (enabling) them to continue begging.

 

Call 311, alert your neighbors, take up the issue with your HR department if it's near you job.  But do not under any circumstance give them money or feed them.

 

If you feed and give them money you're inviting trouble, period!

I know this is going to sound mean and uncaring, but why give to the panhandlers? You're only inviting (enabling) them to continue begging.

 

Call 311, alert your neighbors, take up the issue with your HR department if it's near you job. But do not under any circumstance give them money or feed them.

 

If you feed and give them money you're inviting trouble, period!

 

MTS, you hit the nail on the head. If you feed the beast, it'll only grow bigger. Legislation for this issue is about as effective as putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.

I know this is going to sound mean and uncaring, but why give to the panhandlers? You're only inviting (enabling) them to continue begging.

 

Call 311, alert your neighbors, take up the issue with your HR department if it's near you job. But do not under any circumstance give them money or feed them.

 

If you feed and give them money you're inviting trouble, period!

 

MTS, you hit the nail on the head. If you feed the beast, it'll only grow bigger. Legislation for this issue is about as effective as putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.

 

They passed similar legislation in Cleveland... it does help.  It gives businesses and police a tool to help move people along... but ultimately the only thing that makes the problem go away is to stop giving.  But that unfortunately will never happen, there's always someone who thinks they're doing the right thing by giving them cash.

It's the agressive panhandlers that are the focus of this effort.  I've seen them walk into downtown coffee shops and other businesses and literally go table to table asking for change.  It's one thing to do so out on the sdiewalk, but when they leave a public space and enter a building, that's going too far.... to the point of trespassing. 

 

Out on the sidewalk, I just tell them I have no spare change.  The last time I got panhandled in a local Starbucks, I told the guy to get lost and asked the manager to call the cops.  He left like he was shot from a cannon.

"But that unfortunately will never happen, there's always someone who thinks they're doing the right thing by giving them cash."

 

My biggest pet peeve are the people who say "oh, I always end up giving - I'm too nice, I guess.". No, you're gullible and apparently too much of a mousy sh!t to simply say "sorry" and KEEP WALKING. :roll:

"But that unfortunately will never happen, there's always someone who thinks they're doing the right thing by giving them cash."

 

My biggest pet peeve are the people who say "oh, I always end up giving - I'm too nice, I guess.". No, you're gullible and apparently too much of a mousy sh!t to simply say "sorry" and KEEP WALKING. :roll:

 

If they really want to help, go down and volunteer for a shift at the Cleveland Food bank or drop off some food or supplies to St. Malachi's.  I hate these "oh, I'm too nice" people too.

I don't mind the guy at E.9th and Euclid. I never give him money, but he's pretty nice and adds some color to that corner.

^ I buy the grapevine from him.  That's the ONLY time I ever give cash, is when people are selling the grapevine, because i know it's legitimate.  And that guy is the absolute nicest friendliest street guy in town...

 

"Would ya like to buy a copy of the homeless grapevine?  Have a good day, god be with ya!"

Maybe it's just from developing street smarts over the years - but what baffles me are the people who don't see these panhandlers coming from a mile away. I'm sorry, as soon as someone starts making a beeline for me, my guard goes up - especially someone rough around the edges since Cleveland panhandlers aren't out in Prada.

 

I will say I've seen less panhandlers approaching people - I'm sure they still do, but it seems like more and more they're off to the side shaking a cup. I'll take that any day over some nasty@ssed bum getting in my face trying to give me some sob story.

In researching best practices for a Special Improvement Dist. we ran across a tactic that is used by the Discovery and Capital City Crossroads SID in Columbus where they have an Ambassador go where there is panhandling problems and hand out a pamphlet to people saying give a hand up and not a hand out with a list of social services that they can make a donation to that will actually help the person get food or shelter instead of a few cents to purchase drugs or alchohol.

 

This helps the person who feels obligated to help their fellow man by giving them a ligitimate charity to give to.  This is done in conjunction with an ambassador who tries to steer those panhandlers to the appropriate social service on the other end.  We would like to implement this tactic in OTR.

Watch this guy in action, move the bar to the 3:00 min mark:

 

http://www.aetv.com/intervention/video/index.jsp?bcpid=1452232410&bclid=1612710047&bctid=1614615984

Cincinnati requires folks to be licensed to panhandle.

 

I think licensing is gone.  However, aggressive panhandling is still illegal, which includes things such as threatening, following someone, or continuing to ask after being told no.  There are also rules about times of day, and there are restrictions on where it can be done (for example, there is a distance from an ATM).

I know this is going to sound mean and uncaring, but why give to the panhandlers? You're only inviting (enabling) them to continue begging.

 

Call 311, alert your neighbors, take up the issue with your HR department if it's near you job. But do not under any circumstance give them money or feed them.

 

If you feed and give them money you're inviting trouble, period!

 

I agree with you.  The same people who complain about feeling unsafe because of panhandling are the same ones who give them money!  It does drive me nuts to see people hand someone money.

I agree with all above... if you're going to give, give to the services that help the homeless... not the homeless directly.

Me too.

 

My building in DT Lexington has Phoenix Park. A few years ago, the city was pretty aggressive about removing the homeless and panhandlers from the park, because some were harassing the residents who would come out to walk their dog. The city stopped two years ago after some pretty vocal complaints about homeless rights, so now they congregate there.

 

A few nights ago, we had a homeless person come into our inner-chamber of our building, where you need to dial a number to a resident or use your electronic key fob to get in. A homeless man had entered in with him and was getting pretty angry about being denied entry (despite our doorman being there). He became pretty agitated that he couldn't come in and use our restrooms (our sole public restroom that was used when we had a cafe was closed because of abuse) and sit on the couches. This is almost a weekly occurance.

 

The public library next door can't keep them out, either. They have no problem if they have a card, check out books or use the public services. But many come in there to lounge and sleep on the furniture -- highly visible from Main Street. I have also caught one individual giving himself a spongebath in the restroom.

 

What really took the cake was a homeless man (who I've seen many times before in the park) in my parking garage. He had wheeled himself into the stairwell and was pretty much trapped -- couldn't go up or down -- and was waiting for someone else to show up. He had a white plastic bag in his hand. I told him that he "better get the fuck out of the garage" to which he refused. Comon, don't deal drugs in my parking structure. I got behind his wheelchair and pushed him to the edge of the staircase and gave him a good fright -- to which he finally said he'd leave. I opened the door and pushed him down the ramp of our garage.

They should add car washes to the list. There's always bums there, 'cause they know you've got change sitting out.

It's the agressive panhandlers that are the focus of this effort.  I've seen them walk into downtown coffee shops and other businesses and literally go table to table asking for change.  It's one thing to do so out on the sdiewalk, but when they leave a public space and enter a building, that's going too far.... to the point of trespassing. 

 

Out on the sidewalk, I just tell them I have no spare change.  The last time I got panhandled in a local Starbucks, I told the guy to get lost and asked the manager to call the cops.  He left like he was shot from a cannon.

Then its the business owners fault. No panhandler would come into a business unless they've done it before.  That means the Business owner isn't doing his or her part.

frankly, if they are going to pass a law about panhandling, they should target the problem. 

 

outlaw the giving, not the asking.  fine the people who give out the handouts, and it will disappear a lot faster.

I agree with you.  The same people who complain about feeling unsafe because of panhandling are the same ones who give them money!  It does drive me nuts to see people hand someone money.

Next time remind those idiots of just that!

 

I agree with all above... if you're going to give, give to the services that help the homeless... not the homeless directly.

BINGO!!  I couldn't agree more.

 

They should add car washes to the list. There's always bums there, 'cause they know you've got change sitting out.

Is David hanging out at car washes again?  :-P

 

frankly, if they are going to pass a law about panhandling, they should target the problem. 

 

outlaw the giving, not the asking.  fine the people who give out the handouts, and it will disappear a lot faster.

 

Oh you just told the truth and make too much sense!!  :clap:

I give my brown bag lunch to panhandlers on occasion.  That's probably the best answer for everyone, since I can just run to the Galleria and then get that veggie dish I like, and they get to eat