"Then the guy jumps into my car...."

 

Stop right there - you were driving with your doors unlocked? :wtf:

^ He was talking to me from the passenger side (and the curb side), and I had rolled the window down about 3/4 of the way.  He took advantage of that and unlocked the door.  Needless to say, I've learned how to be more careful!

Guess who approached me this morning on my way into work? Sure as sh!t, some scruffy looking guy wearing his requisite hard hat and safety vest, standing in front of the Crowne Plaza (no doubt hitting up some convention-types waiting out front). He approaches me and he gets out "excuse me s..." and I yell "SORRY REBAR GUY - JUST LIKE I COULDN'T HELP YA THE LAST TIME YOU F#CKED UP YOUR STUPID GAS TANK!". He *bolted* across the street after that! :laugh:

Guess who approached me this morning on my way into work? Sure as sh!t, some scruffy looking guy wearing his requisite hard hat and safety vest, standing in front of the Crowne Plaza (no doubt hitting up some convention-types waiting out front). He approaches me and he gets out "excuse me s..." and I yell "SORRY REBAR GUY - JUST LIKE I COULDN'T HELP YA THE LAST TIME YOU F#CKED UP YOUR STUPID GAS TANK!". He *bolted* across the street after that! :laugh:

 

I've seen that guy too!  Man, this guy has gotta have some gig going.

I was just glad to zing him before he even got his schpiel out!

he gets out "excuse me s..." and I yell "SORRY REBAR GUY - JUST LIKE I COULDN'T HELP YA THE LAST TIME YOU F#CKED UP YOUR STUPID GAS TANK!".

 

So you're that jerk that yelled at me this morning.  I was just trying to get directions!

"Then the guy jumps into my car...."

 

Stop right there - you were driving with your doors unlocked? :wtf:

 

OK.  I was thinking the same thing.  I wouldn't have even stopped.  But if he tried that number on me.....I would have beat the h-ll out of him! 

I can't believe my posts on the first page. I was so nieve. I can't stand panhandlers now. They annoy the hell out of me. There's so many of them in Columbus and they get really aggressive.  They like to start out by saying "whats up?" (a simple greeting) to lock you into a conversation about their life story.

 

I was walking down the street tonight and these two guys were standing around; one is smiling and he tries to shake hands with me. I looked at him and realized his hand was extended, then just ignored him. Then he started screaming after I walked past him. "Oh, it's like that? Alright...punk @ss, f@ggot @ss b!tch... ". I turned around and said "What the f^ck did you just say?" and he was like "You heard me". I felt like beating the sh!t out of him but the last thing I need is an assault charge so I just turned around and ignored him. He must have been on some serious drugs or has some screws loose because he was smaller than me and I could have easily smashed him.

 

Last night I let the dog outside to use the bathroom and I was standing in the front yard when this guy walking down the street from far away is yelling something at me, trying to get my attention. My dog finishes up then we walk inside. 20 seconds later there's a knock at the door. This ignoramus had the audacity to knock on my door! I answered it and he was all tweaked out and asked me for money. He seemed pretty harmless, just looked like a junkie; I told him I'm sorry, I'm broke and can't help.

 

I don't know what's going on but panhandling is out of control lately! Maybe the weather is making them act even crazier.

 

That first bum better not ever catch me when I'm intoxicated, leaving a bar. You knock on the devil's door long enough, eventually he's going to answer!  I don't care how crazy you are.

I got panhandled (or had a beggar) at the Giant Eagle parking lot in Westerville last week. Sign of the times, I reckon. A middle aged woman in fact.

I can't believe my posts on the first page. I was so nieve. I can't stand panhandlers now. They annoy the hell out of me. There's so many of them in Columbus and they get really aggressive.  They like to start out by saying "whats up?" (a simple greeting) to lock you into a conversation about their life story.

 

I was walking down the street tonight and these two guys were standing around; one is smiling and he tries to shake hands with me. I looked at him and realized his hand was extended, then just ignored him. Then he started screaming after I walked past him. "Oh, it's like that? Alright...punk @ss, f@ggot @ss b!tch... ". I turned around and said "What the f^ck did you just say?" and he was like "You heard me". I felt like beating the sh!t out of him but the last thing I need is an assault charge so I just turned around and ignored him. He must have been on some serious drugs or has some screws loose because he was smaller than me and I could have easily smashed him.

 

Last night I let the dog outside to use the bathroom and I was standing in the front yard when this guy walking down the street from far away is yelling something at me, trying to get my attention. My dog finishes up then we walk inside. 20 seconds later there's a knock at the door. This ignoramus had the audacity to knock on my door! I answered it and he was all tweaked out and asked me for money. He seemed pretty harmless, just looked like a junkie; I told him I'm sorry, I'm broke and can't help.

 

I don't know what's going on but panhandling is out of control lately! Maybe the weather is making them act even crazier.

 

That first bum better not ever catch me when I'm intoxicated, leaving a bar. You knock on the devil's door long enough, eventually he's going to answer!  I don't care how crazy you are.

 

David, you answered the door?  mistake no. 1   Fool, what the hell is wrong with you.  The first thing you wrote in this post, "I can't believe my posts on the first page. I was so nieve."  You're still naive!  If you aren't expecting guest don't answer the door.  If it's an emergency, a person would call you before knocking.    Honey, somebody is ringing my door bell right now.

 

Next time, be like MTS, answer the door with no shirt with an aluminum baseball bat in hand and say, "fuck you want?!"  They wont come back again!  I have seen a Jehovah's Witness, paper boy, "school" fund collector, trick or treater, etc. in years

 

I can't believe my posts on the first page. I was so nieve. I can't stand panhandlers now. They annoy the hell out of me. There's so many of them in Columbus and they get really aggressive. They like to start out by saying "whats up?" (a simple greeting) to lock you into a conversation about their life story.

 

I got this shit yesterday, it's annoying.  Although I don't know which is more annoying; the fake "conversation" starter, or the person who stands right in your path as you're approaching and just vigorously shakes their cup of change, shaking and shaking and shaking it at you as you walk past.  I feel like yanking the cup out of their hands and throwing it on the ground. 

I can't believe my posts on the first page. I was so nieve. I can't stand panhandlers now. They annoy the hell out of me. There's so many of them in Columbus and they get really aggressive. They like to start out by saying "whats up?" (a simple greeting) to lock you into a conversation about their life story.

 

I got this sh!t yesterday, it's annoying. Although I don't know which is more annoying; the fake "conversation" starter, or the person who stands right in your path as you're approaching and just vigorously shakes their cup of change, shaking and shaking and shaking it at you as you walk past. I feel like yanking the cup out of their hands and throwing it on the ground.

 

When they shake the cup like that I'm just assuming they're into Calypso music, so I sing along

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7zNlmzAo14

 

Everybody Conga!

I can't believe my posts on the first page. I was so nieve. I can't stand panhandlers now. They annoy the hell out of me. There's so many of them in Columbus and they get really aggressive.  They like to start out by saying "whats up?" (a simple greeting) to lock you into a conversation about their life story.

 

I got this sh!t yesterday, it's annoying.  Although I don't know which is more annoying; the fake "conversation" starter, or the person who stands right in your path as you're approaching and just vigorously shakes their cup of change, shaking and shaking and shaking it at you as you walk past.  I feel like yanking the cup out of their hands and throwing it on the ground. 

 

When they shake the cup like that I'm just assuming they're into Calypso music, so I sing along

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7zNlmzAo14

 

Everybody Conga!

 

MAN YOU ARE INSANE!  LMAO

My stretegy is quite simple and effective.  When you notice that you are approaching a panhandler, start shuffling around in your pocket like you are looking for change.  Then, right before the pandhandler opens his/her mouth, you blurt out - "Excuse me sir, do you have a quarter you can spare?"  It totally takes them out of their element and catches them off guard.  Some even seem flattered that you would think to ask them and they will pretend to look through their pockets as well.  Either way, they already know the answer to the question they wanted to ask.

 

But, when I am in the giving mood and the panhandler looks genuinely in need, I will offer to buy them some food.  I will hand out cash to those that perform some type of service, which could range from window washing to street entertainment. 

My stretegy is quite simple and effective.  When you notice that you are approaching a panhandler, start shuffling around in your pocket like you are looking for change.  Then, right before the pandhandler opens his/her mouth, you blurt out - "Excuse me sir, do you have a quarter you can spare?"  It totally takes them out of their element and catches them off guard.  Some even seem flattered that you would think to ask them and they will pretend to look through their pockets as well.  Either way, they already know the answer to the question they wanted to ask.

 

But, when I am in the giving mood and the panhandler looks genuinely in need, I will offer to buy them some food.  I will hand out cash to those that perform some type of service, which could range from window washing to street entertainment. 

 

I've been using this line lately.

I will hand out cash to those that perform some type of service, which could range from window washing to street entertainment.

 

If they are actually performing some sort of service they are not, by definition, panhandlers.  Offering irregular work or street entertaining is a very different thing.

I don't know what's going on but panhandling is out of control lately! Maybe the weather is making them act even crazier.

 

It's because they have success with it.  If everyone stopped giving them money, they wouldn't bother asking. 

 

But, when I am in the giving mood and the panhandler looks genuinely in need, I will offer to buy them some food. I will hand out cash to those that perform some type of service, which could range from window washing to street entertainment.

 

I do that sometimes, too.  It's probably still the wrong thing to do, but if someone is genuinely hungry, I don't mind helping with that.

I don't know what's going on but panhandling is out of control lately! Maybe the weather is making them act even crazier.

 

It's because they have success with it.  If everyone stopped giving them money, they wouldn't bother asking. 

 

But, when I am in the giving mood and the panhandler looks genuinely in need, I will offer to buy them some food.  I will hand out cash to those that perform some type of service, which could range from window washing to street entertainment. 

 

I do that sometimes, too.  It's probably still the wrong thing to do, but if someone is genuinely hungry, I don't mind helping with that.

 

I say send them to places that our pooled money can be better utilized.

 

I say send them to places that our pooled money can be better utilized.

 

I say take a taser to 'em; give 'em some Electro-Shock Therapy. Zzzzap!

 

I say send them to places that our pooled money can be better utilized.

 

I say take a taser to 'em; give 'em some Electro-Shock Therapy. Zzzzap!

 

Yes...yes...

 

I passed several panhandlers today but only gave to one. I had no specific reason why I did or why I chose him. It was just a gut feeling mixed with Christmas spirit. I know many guys use their money for questionable purposes but there is always that part of me that thinks what if they do really need it. I only gave him a couple of quarters but he was at least kind enough to say thank you and Merry Christmas.

 

Wuss! :P  Don't give to the homeless or panhandlers, they are like Cats.  They will keep coming back if you give just one time!

^ totally agree. not to mention giving money to panhandlers is just not the way to give charity in general.

^ totally agree. not to mention giving money to panhandlers is just not the way to give charity in general.

 

Bingo!

There's a service available in my area to give out vouchers to the homeless instead of money.    Numerous stores accept them, but they don't work on alcohol.  Panhandling for money is illegal in my neighborhood so they are only getting the vouchers

For those in Cincinnati:

 

Don't give money to panhandlers or beggars. The shelters -- all concentrated in my neighborhood (unfortunately), have more than enough beds for you to sleep in. They will not turn you away. They also have enough food for you to eat and get nourished. You will not be denied food. Please stop begging me for that cup of coffee while I walk to Fountain Square. Please stop trying to sell me a "gold" necklace while I walk to the bar. I know who you are, I've seen you out daily, and to be honest, I don't think that you are legitimate. If you really cared about helping yourself out of your situation, I'll gladly walk you to the nearest shelter. Have a good holiday.

There's a service available in my area to give out vouchers to the homeless instead of money. Numerous stores accept them, but they don't work on alcohol. Panhandling for money is illegal in my neighborhood so they are only getting the vouchers

 

That's an excellent idea.  Maybe the DCA here should pick it up.

Downtown Cincinnati, Inc. has an outreach worker who deals with homeless and works to get them off the streets.  He spoke at the Downtown Residents Council meeting several months ago.  In two years, he has gotten 100 people off the streets.  He also mentioned there are several who refuse help.  Some have also said they have no reason to get help because they are making plenty of money through panhandling. 

 

I agree with Sherman's post above.  There are so many places in OTR that people can get food.  I think *at least* half of panhandlers are actually scam artists, especially the aggressive ones.  For example, one day a guy stopped my husband and me while we were walking home from work.  The guy gave a story about car broken down somewhere, family member stranded, something along those lines.  My husband offered to call someone for him.  The guy got very upset and started cussing, then moved on.

I got panhandled (scammed is more like it) in downtown Cincinnati the other night, and thought I should share, in case anyone else runs into this joker.  I was stopping by Shanghai Mama's around 2AM for a late night meal with some friends, and I pulled into the parking lot next to the restaurant.  I soon as I got out of my car, a well dressed black man told me that "that'll be 5 bucks".  He didn't look like a parking attendent, especially since he was wearing a nice top coat and fedora (not exactly appropriate attire for someone sitting in the cold for hours).  This particular parking lot also has a machine where you pay for parking, making this even more unlikely.  Not wanting to making a big deal out of it, I told the guy that I'll just park on the street instead.  There were plenty of spaces, so that seemed easier than debating with him on whether he was actually working the lot.  At this point, he yelled "well a Merry f***ing Christmas to you too", and ran out of the lot and down the alley. 

 

I'm not sure where the line is between panhandling and scamming, but be aware that there are people downtown impersonating lot attendents.

Wow! The nerve!

^Yeah, I was pretty surprised.  I forgot to mention that he threatened to have my car towed...

 

Him: "That'll be $5 bucks."

Me: "Seriously?  It's 2 in the morning."

Him: "Well, they're going to tow it if you don't pay me."

Me: "Alright then, I'll just park on the street instead."

Him: "Well a Merry f***ing Christmas to you too!", then the turn-and-run, at which point I left my car where it was in the lot. 

 

Unbelievable.

These guys are too stupid to assume everyone will fall for their b.s. lines. This scenario wasn't even a common harmless panhandler or scammer with a clever line that was at least worth some change in itself.......From what was described, it sounded potentially that it could result in something bad.

 

Anytime a pandhandler holds out a cup to me and jingles the money in it.. I simply say "Oh no thank you.. YOU keep it!"

The life story or the "I need money to see X family member in the hospital" crap gets annoying.  Even if I were to hand out cash, I'd be more willing for them ask up front then tell me some make believe crap.  This is why I love the voucher system and I plan to buy $20 worth when I get back to Chicago.  I'm wiling to dish out food handouts to the homeless on occasion.  I know how much better a free cup of coffee can be to anyone, no matter who they are.  But yeah as David pointed out, some really demand that money, and for some not even $1 is acceptable.  I know some of these people are really messed up or mentally unstable so I try not instigate anything further.  Although if they tried to pull a fast one on me, that would be a very bad idea.  It's pretty rare that happens in Chicago and usually it's just a bunch verbal assaults. 

 

I've been fortunate to be able to avoid panhandling since they put up the ban in my neighborhood, and I pretty much ride my bike everywhere.

^Yeah, I was pretty surprised.  I forgot to mention that he threatened to have my car towed...

 

Him: "That'll be $5 bucks."

Me: "Seriously?  It's 2 in the morning."

Him: "Well, they're going to tow it if you don't pay me."

Me: "Alright then, I'll just park on the street instead."

Him: "Well a Merry f***ing Christmas to you too!", then the turn-and-run, at which point I left my car where it was in the lot. 

 

Unbelievable.

I hope you've contacted the police and neighborhood block association/ District and restaurant as this could happen to someone else.  You could prevent a crime.

That whole incident reminds of what the homeless do in Detroit.  During Tiger or Lions games they direct crowds into empty lots and charge them $10.  In reality those lots are privately owned or held by the city.  If the homeless directed you onto a vacant city lot, your car should be okay since Detroit doesn't give a crap.  But if it's privately owned, you come back and find your car has been towed away and what you thought to be the trusty "attendant" is nowhere to be found.  It's a good thing few people know the casinos don't charge for parking.....you know where parking is safe and conveniently close. 

I'm not sure where the line is between panhandling and scamming, but be aware that there are people downtown impersonating lot attendents.

 

I would think anything that is a lie is a scam. 

I've been fortunate to be able to avoid panhandling since they put up the ban in my neighborhood, and I pretty much ride my bike everywhere.

 

How long has this ban been in place?  I hate panhandling, but I wouldn't be surprised if the ban has been challenged. 

 

There are some very vocal advocates for the homeless in Cincinnati, and they are always challenging laws about panhandling.  I think they've even sued or threatened to sue the city over some of them.  What bugs me is that so many of the panhandlers are actually scam artists, and several of them are not really homeless.  There are so many social service places in Cincy that provide free meals for those who are truly in need.  I really wish people would give to those places instead of giving to the individuals.

Is there another panhandling/homeless persons thread somewhere? I swear I've typed the following story before but cant find it in this specific thread. Either way, here goes:

 

The same man would sit at the corner of E. 6th and Superior in front of the Fifth Third Building and would demand people give him money. Sometimes he would follow people or just yell from where he was sitting underneath the tree. One day after asking if i had money i decided to sit underneath the other tree out front and wait to see what he would do. After maybe 3 people gave him some change he got up and walked up 6th street toward Euclid Ave and went into the Sam Klein Cigar Co. shop on 6th. So i went in not to far behind him and watched him buy $5 worth of scratch off lottery tickets, scratched them off, and then went right back and sat underneath the same tree and started begging for more change. I've also seen the same guy in the shop off Euclid in the National City Building buying $5 and $10 worth of lottery tickets. Since the weather turned he's pretty much dissapeared from the streets, but I'm pretty sure he'll be back once it starts to warm up again.

Slightly off regular panhandling, but....

 

When we were cleaning windows for storefront art at the Chesterfield last week, a guy who was loitering in the vicinity asked us for a job cause he needed work.  He was quite disheartened to find out we were just volunteers, lol.  He continued to loiter (well more specifically stare at us while we were cleaning).  He then walked up 12th to Euclid and returned shortly thereafter and stared at me some more.  At one point while he was turned away from me, I placed a quick call to the DCA to come and move his butt along.  He then walked up to a van stopped at E. 12th and Chester and had some sort of exchange (conversational or otherwise) after which he disappeared before DCA arrived.  So despite the fact that he didn't actually ask us for money (well not directly anyway), he was still one of those creepers who just wouldn't go away.

There are some noticeable hot spots downtown besides the square, only. They hang around 4th....a lot and where you mentioned. Didn't Cleveland propose a voucher system a long time ago? I remember hearing of it. Also, I have to drive through downtown a lot for work reasons. I have the police programmed on my phone and anytime I am at a light and if I happen to witness aggressive panhandling, I immediately call the police to at least let them know. If they get more calls about a certain instance they will be more present. Just presence sometimes helps.

 

I also noticed as I made rounds for about an hour, a group loitering around a business on a Saturday. Harmless maybe...but cautious I am..not paranoid...and let the police know about this too. The fact that there was no bus stop...nothing open..I could not find any reason why anyone would be standing around there that long.

 

Looking out windows more....watching your neighbors and getting involved with block watch can help curb aggressive situations, or prevent them. Harmless maybe, but I get tired of walking down Euclid, near 12th and being boldly approached like this with the same lame story. Last week I told the person... "Hey.. I'M working this side of the street!"

 

  I used to carry extra food with me, and when someone asks for money for food, I actually gave them food. Not one of the panhandlers actually ate the food that I am aware of, despite the fact that many of them told me that they hadn't had anything to eat in three days, blah blah blah.

 

  One incident that I remember is a persistant bum who wanted one dollar to buy a burger at McDonalds, explaining that McDonalda had $1.00 burgers for sale. I offered to walk with him to the grocery store. He explained that he didn't want to waste my time, blah blah blah, and wouldn't it be easier to give him a dollar? I didn't give in.

 

    Today for the first time ever, I treated a panhandler to dinner.

 

    It was about 20 degrees F. when I drove to a gas station in a rough part of town. The station itself is pretty safe, as there are usually 3 or 4 police officers in there to get a snack. A woman came up to my vehicle before I even got out and begged for money. She was wrapped up in a coat with a big hood and looked pretty cold. It was starting to get dark. 

 

    "I'm sorry, and I know you'll probably say no, but could you give me something, a dollar or two?

    "What do you need it for?" I asked.

    "I don't have anything at all. I don't have bus fare, I have nothing to eat, no place to stay..."

    "Where do you live?"

    "I don't live anywhere. I just got back from Puerto Rico last week... I was supposed to stay with friends, but it didn't work out..."

    "Where are your parents?"

    "My dad died some years ago."

    "And your mother?"

    "I don't talk with my mother."

    "Why not"

    "She's not worth talking to. I haven't seen her since I was 4 years old. She ran off with a black man to smoke crack. That's the truth"

    "Is she still alive?"

    "I don't know."

    "How old are you?"

    "24"

      "Can I buy you a sandwich?"

      "Yes! Thank you!"

      "I need to buy some gasoline. Meet me here in a few minutes, or meet me inside."

      I purchased some gasoline, then about 5 minutes later drove back to where I met the girl and parked. She was waiting.

    "Have you eaten here before?"

    "Yes, but could you order for me, and bring it out? I can't go in."

    "Why not?"

    "Because they yelled at me. I tried to sell my necklace."

    "No, come on in."

    "I can't"

      "Just tell them your'e buying a sandwich."

      She followed me in. The staff didn't give us any trouble.

    "Where are you going to spend the night tonight?"

    "I haven't figured that out yet."

      "Where did you spend last night?"

      "In a cold shelter in Covington."

      "Thank you for this." She said. "And thanks for talking to me, too. Most people won't talk to me."

      "What were you doing in Puerto Rico?"

      "I was living there."

      "How long were you there?"

      "Since last spring."

      "Why did you go there?"

      "I was living with friends."

      "Did you go there on holiday, and then just stay there?"

      "Yes."

      "Do you speak Spanish?"

      "No, but I know enough to ask for what I need."

      She ordered a sandwich ahead of me. The cashier asked her if the two of us were together. I had a feeling that the cashier had seen this woman before. I paid for her sandwich, and one for myself.

    She said, "I'm going to take it outside and eat it."

    "Why don't you have a seat in here"?

      She took a seat, and I sat next to her. I had the feeling that she wanted to get out of there.

      I asked her, "Where did you grow up?"

      "Bracken County, Kentucky, about 40 miles up the river."

      "Where did you go to school?"

      "Bracken County High School."

      "Did you graduate?"

      "Yes."

      "Did you get a job?"

      "I'm getting a job now. The Census is hiring, and it's a good job because it pays $15.00 an hour. I have to walk around in the cold, which I am used to. I am taking the test tomorrow."

      "At least you have a warm coat."

      "Someone gave it to me."

      I thought to myself that there's probably a lot of competition for Census jobs, it's just a temporary job, and they are most likely to hire someone with some job experience. $15.00 an hour is pretty high for a first job. My first job didn't pay half of that.

      I asked, "Have you got any brothers or sisters?"

      "My brother's in Iraq. My other brother I haven't seen in a long time and I don't know where he is. I have an older sister in Wisconsin. I have a little sister that was adopted when she was a baby, and another sister that was adopted when she was a baby... and another sister.... (counting on her fingers...) yes, that's all of them. My mother didn't take care of any of her children."

      She adds, "This sandwich is good. Thank you so much."

      By this time I was feeling pretty sorry for her. I wondered what to do next. I feel bad leaving her out in the cold. I said, "I'm driving downtown next, in case you happen to want a ride there."

    "I'll think about it." she said. She thanked me again, and got up and left, saying that she needed a cigarette. About a minute later, I finished my sandwich and went outside. She was nowhere to be seen.

 

    At least I know she's not going to waste my money. I never gave her any money, and I watched her eat the sandwich. Over the years I have offered to buy food to many pandhanders who wanted money "to buy a sandwich." This was the first time one of them took me up on it.

     

     

Nice story!  Great to remember all that in such description too. Sad for her.... Seems she was the real deal, alright. Good on you! I would offer to buy food too....take them to a grocery store and get real food....no fast foods and make sure they ate as you did. I have always been refused that offer.

Good on you! I would offer to buy food too.....no fast foods and make sure they ate as you did. I have always been refused that offer.

 

There is a man who sat on 6th street right next to the across from Porcelli's at all hours of the day from decent weather to cold weather. Every now and then i would buy him a piece of pizza or a sandwhich while I was on my lunch and give it to him when i went back. He never once asked me for money or asked if i could buy him food, and i never once saw him asking anybody for change. Now whenever i see him i give him a smile and a wave and he does the same.

 

I've also received a few "I dont want that f*ckin' sh*t" when I've offered leftovers to a few certain homeless/panhandlers.

The ones who are both too proud to ask for change or to seek help, used to be somewhat successful. Like the guys you see collecting cans and stuff. My sister talked to a homeless guy one time who refused money and her and her boyfriend were talking to him for a while - he didn't really want to talk but finally opened up and it turns out he used to be a lawyer. His wife divorced him and took everything he had. He had an amputated soul after that. He probably turned to drugs. You never know where some people who are now at the bottom of society, actually came from.

^Yeah, I was pretty surprised. I forgot to mention that he threatened to have my car towed...

 

Him: "That'll be $5 bucks."

Me: "Seriously? It's 2 in the morning."

Him: "Well, they're going to tow it if you don't pay me."

Me: "Alright then, I'll just park on the street instead."

Him: "Well a Merry f***ing Christmas to you too!", then the turn-and-run, at which point I left my car where it was in the lot.

 

Unbelievable.

I hope you've contacted the police and neighborhood block association/ District and restaurant as this could happen to someone else. You could prevent a crime.

 

I told the waiter, but I hadn't thought about the cops.  At the time it seemed more like a pain in the a$$ than anything else, but reporting it is probably a good idea. 

^Yeah, I was pretty surprised.  I forgot to mention that he threatened to have my car towed...

 

Him: "That'll be $5 bucks."

Me: "Seriously?  It's 2 in the morning."

Him: "Well, they're going to tow it if you don't pay me."

Me: "Alright then, I'll just park on the street instead."

Him: "Well a Merry f***ing Christmas to you too!", then the turn-and-run, at which point I left my car where it was in the lot. 

 

Unbelievable.

I hope you've contacted the police and neighborhood block association/ District and restaurant as this could happen to someone else.  You could prevent a crime.

 

I told the waiter, but I hadn't thought about the cops.  At the time it seemed more like a pain in the a$$ than anything else, but reporting it is probably a good idea. 

 

Ahhh  yeah! 

I used to be more charitable but I am getting really annoyed by panhandlers.  I had two incidents down in Louisville which really got my goat:

 

1. I stopped at the downtown White Castle for a quick bite to eat between sets at the local blues bar, just around the corner.  I am sitting in the corner eating and this guy comes up to me and tries to bum a dollar…he has me cornered in this booth .  I couldn’t believe it.  I told him” Jezuz H Christ, yer trying to panhandle me in a White Castle!!!  No!”.  What really torqued me was that he was black and there were a few black customers there and he comes up to me--the sole white guy in the joint-- to bum some money.  I had a mind to tell him to ask the “brothers” for some before hitting me up.

 

2. I am walking down a side street to a neighborhood gay bar, not too well lit, and this guy is on the sidewalk a bit down from the door.  He asks me for some change.  I say no but didn’t feel to comfortable about this exchange, sort of his demeanor and he is too close to this bar.  I figure he was thinking gays were easy marks for bumming money, which pissed me off even more. 

 

I am getting tired of this crap.  But I did give to this younger woman a few weeks ago..she looked & talked a bit off and had a duffle bag so I think she might have been homeless and had a mental problem.  This was near the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dayton.  You don’t see too many female panhandlers.

 

I don’t think the homeless are seriously panhandlers.  A few might be but I know the ones at the library, the day-sitters, aren’t as I see them on the street, too, and they don’t try to bum stuff.  I think some of these guys collect scrap for extra cash as I saw some coming from some brush near the railroad yards east of downtown Dayton to scavenge the neighborhoods.

 

...He had an amputated soul after that....

 

Reminds me of the Robin Williams character in The Fisher King.

 

 

Jeffery you're to kind. 

 

I'm not giving a grown man or woman a damn dime!

 

The venom I spew....

 

I used to be more charitable but I am getting really annoyed by panhandlers.  I had two incidents down in Louisville which really got my goat:

 

1. I stopped at the downtown White Castle for a quick bite to eat between sets at the local blues bar, just around the corner.  I am sitting in the corner eating and this guy comes up to me and tries to bum a dollar…he has me cornered in this booth .  I couldn’t believe it.  I told him” Jezuz H Christ, yer trying to panhandle me in a White Castle!!!  No!”.  What really torqued me was that he was black and there were a few black customers there and he comes up to me--the sole white guy in the joint-- to bum some money.  I had a mind to tell him to ask the “brothers” for some before hitting me up.

 

2. I am walking down a side street to a neighborhood gay bar, not too well lit, and this guy is on the sidewalk a bit down from the door.  He asks me for some change.  I say no but didn’t feel to comfortable about this exchange, sort of his demeanor and he is too close to this bar.  I figure he was thinking gays were easy marks for bumming money, which pissed me off even more. 

 

I am getting tired of this crap.  But I did give to this younger woman a few weeks ago..she looked & talked a bit off and had a duffle bag so I think she might have been homeless and had a mental problem.  This was near the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dayton.  You don’t see too many female panhandlers.

 

I don’t think the homeless are seriously panhandlers.  A few might be but I know the ones at the library, the day-sitters, aren’t as I see them on the street, too, and they don’t try to bum stuff.  I think some of these guys collect scrap for extra cash as I saw some coming from some brush near the railroad yards east of downtown Dayton to scavenge the neighborhoods.

 

You should have told him to ask the black.  You were racial profiled!

 

I think panhandlers know gay folks have more disposable income.  Not that we're easy marks.  Also the guy near the bar could have been a hustler.  You know some girls  like p r o k n o 5  a  t  l  a  s  m d 8 8 p i l o t will take home anything with a pulse!  :laugh:

I've been fortunate to be able to avoid panhandling since they put up the ban in my neighborhood, and I pretty much ride my bike everywhere.

 

How long has this ban been in place?  I hate panhandling, but I wouldn't be surprised if the ban has been challenged. 

 

There are some very vocal advocates for the homeless in Cincinnati, and they are always challenging laws about panhandling.  I think they've even sued or threatened to sue the city over some of them.  What bugs me is that so many of the panhandlers are actually scam artists, and several of them are not really homeless.  There are so many social service places in Cincy that provide free meals for those who are truly in need.  I really wish people would give to those places instead of giving to the individuals.

 

Citywide, quite some time.  But firmly established by signage in neighborhoods only recently.  Since it's a form of harassment, there's very little they can do to challenge the laws...just like any public nuisance laws.  The signs virtually eliminated the problem in certain areas.  Over on Division and Clark it was terrible.  Just walking to the Jewel grocery store there you would at MINIMUM get asked for change by 6 different people.  On any day there would be more than a dozen homeless people standing along the railing as you exited the subway.  Some would just scream random things at people. 

 

Panhandling is legal in the city of Detroit though it requires a license.  The license must be presented when requested.  Since their panhandlers aren't obnoxious, their system must be working.

Alright, another excellent experience this week.  This time inside the grocery store near the ATM....which btw could get them arrested.

 

My friend is about to withdraw money from the ATM which is right next to the coinstar.  He was nervous about this shady old white dude throwing gobs of change in so we waited behind.  The guy retrieved over $40 something in change since he held the ticket in my face asking where to cash it.  After my friend got money from the ATM we are heading out and the dude who just got his cash asks us for 50 cents so he can get on the bus.  I say.  'First, I just saw you dump all that change in the coinstar, and second the bus and train costs you [in particular] nothing.  Leave this neighborhood before I call the cops."  Dude hobbles off down to the subway.

 

I also saw the guy who panhandles in front of our building typically get banned from the Illinois Centre Mall for hassling people at the entry.  I saw security haul him out.  He was also banned from standing in front of many buildings downtown for aggressive tactics.  Keep in mind you can lose your rights to a public sidewalk.  I've noticed many panhandlers downtown have been shoved to the bridges or to the underground streets