Beware of panhandlers

[fl boomer]

On the way home from dinner tonight, I wanted to stop at Bed, Bath & Beyond to pick up an item. My husband decided to stay in the car & wait for me. During the 10 - 15 minutes that I was in the store between 7:30 - 8:00 PM this evening my husband observed two different people approach customers in the parking lot asking for money. He could actually hear the conversation between a guy ON A BICYCLE tell a lone woman in her car that he was a Navy vet who had an eye appointment in Ocala & missed the bus back to Leesburg & asked her for money, & it appeared that she gave him some. The other incident was a different guy who approached a couple further down the lot, & they also gave him money. He then walked around the parking lot & then got into his car & drove off. I was shocked when he told me this & felt that people need to be aware that this is happening.

[nitehawk]

You dont happen to know which area of TV he lives in

[redwitch]

I'm one of those folks who doesn't mind giving panhandlers money. If it's a scam, it's on them. I've done what I think is right for me.

Not sure why you would be shocked, though. There is a tremendous of poverty surrounding TV. The Ocala National Forest has a very large homeless community living there. To me, it is shameful that America has so many living in such horrible conditions and it is frequently not the fault of the individual but rather circumstances.

[graciegirl]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/gypsies-were-back-93705/

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/gypsies-back-villages-92133/

[sunnyatlast]

I'm one of those folks who doesn't mind giving panhandlers money. If it's a scam, it's on them. I've done what I think is right for me.

Not sure why you would be shocked, though. There is a tremendous of poverty surrounding TV. The Ocala National Forest has a very large homeless community living there. To me, it is shameful that America has so many living in such horrible conditions and it is frequently not the fault of the individual but rather circumstances.

Sadly, many of the homeless choose to live in the forest or worse conditions. See this article in the newer online newspaper (can't link it here):

"Legion auxiliary member rounds up bags for mats for homeless veterans"

....and this reader comment by:

Carol Pirone-Udell says:
August 29, 2014 at 11:07 AM
I am the president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347. We have been working with various organizations to help these people. Most of the Vets in the forest are from the Vietnam Era and cannot or should I say choose not to come into society after being scarred by the war.

We work with a group from Eustis who is able to go in the forest and bring food, clothes and what ever else they need. They are funded by organizations and donations. This group brings out a few at a time giving them housing and working with them to get a job and become self sufficient. There is over 18,000 people living in the forest including women and children. Our organization is working with a group to bring in food, and clothing especially for the children. these mats are one thing that we felt was needed to keep them dry. There is not enough money or places to put these vets after bringing them out.

Be assured, they are living there because they want to,. The VA is available to help our vets and they just have to go and ask. However being married to a Vietnam Vet who is now deceased I know when he came back he shunned society and it took him 16 years to get himself help and then he passed away with cancer from agent orange. All we can do is try to help with their needs until they want to come out and live in society.

[redwitch]

Sounds like some serious contradictions in the article quoted. People WANT to be homeless but they don't have enough housing for these people? Women and children live there. I doubt you'd be able to ever convince me that a mother wants that for her child.

There is no question that many homeless are mentally ill and do feel that being homeless is better than living in society. There is the further fact that many feel safer living on the streets or in forest-type communities than residing in shelters.

As to gypsies returning, tis a tad early for them. Still too warm here. But if it stays cool up north, they'll be back soon and more scams will start occurring.

Regardless, if I have a dollar or two to spare, I will happily give it. How that dollar is used is irrelevant to me.

[mac9]

Sadly, many of the homeless choose to live in the forest or worse conditions. See this article in the newer online newspaper (can't link it here):

"Legion auxiliary member rounds up bags for mats for homeless veterans"

....and this reader comment by:

Carol Pirone-Udell says:
August 29, 2014 at 11:07 AM
I am the president of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347. We have been working with various organizations to help these people. Most of the Vets in the forest are from the Vietnam Era and cannot or should I say choose not to come into society after being scarred by the war.

We work with a group from Eustis who is able to go in the forest and bring food, clothes and what ever else they need. They are funded by organizations and donations. This group brings out a few at a time giving them housing and working with them to get a job and become self sufficient. There is over 18,000 people living in the forest including women and children. Our organization is working with a group to bring in food, and clothing especially for the children. these mats are one thing that we felt was needed to keep them dry. There is not enough money or places to put these vets after bringing them out.

Be assured, they are living there because they want to,. The VA is available to help our vets and they just have to go and ask. However being married to a Vietnam Vet who is now deceased I know when he came back he shunned society and it took him 16 years to get himself help and then he passed away with cancer from agent orange. All we can do is try to help with their needs until they want to come out and live in society.
Maybe they already are on a VA list somewhere for medical care!

[rubicon]

In my view no average thinking person would subject himself and family to such a life. Logically then circumstances mental health, drugs etc are barriers.

It is absolutely a national disgrace the manner in which we allow well meaning laws with unintentional consequences prevent more aggressive policies for assisting mentally ill people and their families.

Equally problematic are people's lack of knowledge, misplaced myths and attitudes toward people with neuro brain disorders. Indeed there are those individuals whose minds are so broken that they need to be institutionalized and perhaps for the remainder of their lives while so many others with proper treatment medicine therapies, etc can and do lead very normal lives

It is indeed a dilemma when confronted with a person that is pan handling. Should you ignore that person and be left with some guilt that you make his/her life that much worse? Or do you think that perhaps this person has a serious drug habit and any donation makes you culpable as an enabler?

One thing is very clear we need a national conversation on this issue or it will plague us for many years to come and while we may never eradicate it we can reduce and contain the number of people who are or will become the unforgotten

[graciegirl]

For those new here. Every year about this time we hear that the panhandlers are here. Every year about this time is when the population begins to swell because the snow birds are starting to fly south

You are all good people and I am sure that you will do what you think is right, but there are many "professional" panhandlers who even bring their children to work and they target The Villages.

Never stop doing what you feel is right, but never stop being a bit skeptical.

[bkcunningham1]

I know many people have tender hearts and want to help those who seem to be in need but please, try to always be aware of your surroundings and be especially careful in parking lots.

[MikeV]

My wife was once approached by a panhandler who asked for money. She had seen him get out of an upscale SUV and was wearing designer jeans. Needless to say she declined his request. I never give money to anyone who approaches me in the street. Way too many scams around for me to trust anyone panhandling.

[Bonnevie]

The VA has many ways of helping veterans. If someone has little or no money but was in the service when there was a war (whether he or she was in combat or not) they can get a pension if they qualify. I saw case after case of veteran's who would come into the hospital, homeless and set up in an assisted living facility on discharge. Many of them complained because it took so much of "their money" somehow ignoring that the VA was providing that money for housing and food....not to buy cigarettes and beer. I do feel for the Vietnam Vets who chose to live away from society....they are suffering from such levels of PTSD it is staggering. They need the most help. Unfortunately, they don't come in to get it and many times others who are adept at working the system scam all they can get.

[Taltarzac725]

https://www.facebook.com/hungryandhomeless

I have been following on Facebook an Orlando ex-teacher and Navy vet named Thomas Francis Rebman who went homeless for 30 days in Orlando and has since tried to create a movement to help the homeless in that city. It is enlightening.

I am not saying that the "homeless" in the Villages area have the same problems as those covered in this Facebook thread.

Some of the panhandlers around the Villages do to me seem like people scamming others by pretending to be homeless. That does not sound like case with this Orlando ex-teacher, Thomas Francis Rebman, and his experiences with homeless in that city. And, he has repeatedly made the point that very few if any of the people he met were slackers, mentally ill, or criminals of some kind. Most had just met with very bad circumstances.

I hope some TOTVers will check out his Facebook entries.