The city of Parkersburg WV, largest city near me, (35-40 miles hour drive or so), is putting up signs telling people not to give to panhandlers. Of coarse the signs are controversial. I will give to organizations, churches, buy food but never give cash to an individual.

 

A kid 20 ish today asked me for money to eat as I walked out of quick trip. I looked at him and said you have cigarettes looks like you made your choice to be hungry.

 

I did do something low to one girl doing it. I pulled up next to her, in the Alero, held up a $5, and said and asked to see "something" and before she could respond I said "If you are really homeless and need to feed your kids, you'll show me" She walked away. Maybe that was a little nasty and forward, but I think I proved my point.

Every insection of Rooselvelt Blvd they are out. some play the part and wear ratty, dirty clothes, but they are different clothes everyday. One guy wears a neck collar (I think they are called Cervical Collars)

But yeah they target the more expensive cars too. They are always walking up to my Volvo. They didn't walk up to my Delta until I got it repainted. They don't walk up to the Alero at all, but they used too

 

We had a similar situation in suburban New Orleans. The road intersections were loaded with "legitimate" and "illegitimate" bummers. We had one guy "working" the signalized intersection just outside the Wal-Mart store. He didn't expect much from me when I passed in my ragged-out 1962 Rambler. But it was reported that he was doing way better than the Wal-Mart employees. Things got so bad that the local government approved an anti-bumming ordinance on all public property. It has worked wonders. The police enforce it and the roadways are clear again. And the Wal-Mart "bandit" is gone.

 

Just happened to come across this.

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/11/1...?ncid=webmail1

 

A new twist yesterday. Sitting in my car in the parking lot of the store. Woman and child approach, taps on my window. [They put on their best "poor folks" face]

Yeah, what?

Uhm I don't normally do this, but I just need $34 today for...

[oddly specific needs, I thinks to myself]
Sorry I am not subject to mooching today

What? uhm, I'm not mooching!

[A rose by any other name, dear...]
Well, it's not going to happen today, OK [close window]

The two press on to try their luck with other prospects...

So far the best sympathy card yet, the 10yr old girl in tow.

We have places in town, organizations that will help folks that "just need $34 for [whatever]."

Always with the minimizing, too, it's "just" a little, "just" a few dollars I want handed to me for free. I should try that at the gas station... Hey, I don't have $40 for a fillup, can I "just" get a tankfull for free? "Just" today? I "just" need a hand. I am not mooching or panhandling.... I "just" have needs.

 

Not a USA only problem. The pan handlers are all over Calgary and Vancouver too. I am sure every major city has people who never learned that if you don't work you don't eat.

 

I tell em the same thing every time ..... I ain't got no money !

 

My problem with this issue is that if you do offer to help, with anything other then CASH, they walk away.....

 

None ever here in my hometown that I can remember, think it has always been illegal. I see them almost any other bigger town I go to though.

 

I wonder if they have that problem in Pyonyang.