[Jima64]

Lived in San Francisco for 17 years. Left in 94. Could not pay me to go back there. The city leaders give millions to the street problem. The police are hindered in dealing with the problem.

[Sandtrap328]

Originally Posted by tomwed

The problem has to do with the gentrification of San Francisco. Take a look at the rent SF Rent History Chart | Unquiet Titles.
My son and I must look more approachable. And it was about 3 years ago.

Yeah, maybe because I was walking my pet emu (as seen in my avatar), the pan handlers were intimidated?

[Jima64]

Originally Posted by sue422mayer

Beware! I was in the parking lot of Steak & Shake tonight about to leave and a white van pulled up with a male driver and female in the passenger seat. She apologized for bothering me but she said she had been stuck in the area for about 4 hours and her friend was driving her around asking people for gas money to get home! I immediately told her "no I will not give her any money". They left and went to the next people in the parking lot. I then saw they go into the Fresh Market parking lot and started asking people there. I wish I had gotten their licence number so I could report them to the police. Do not give any money to anyone that is asking for it. It is a scam. Just a warning.

As long as suckers give the money it pays more than working.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

Yeah, maybe because I was walking my pet emu (as seen in my avatar), the pan handlers were intimidated?

Not in SF---it's considered "normal" to walk your emu---doesn't everybody have one

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Jima64

As long as suckers give the money it pays more than working.

from Everything You Think You Know About Panhandlers Is Wrong | ThinkProgress
In addition, some justify doing little to fight homelessness because, in their view, many homeless people don’t want help and prefer living on the streets. However, researchers discovered that, on the contrary, just 3 percent of panhandlers don’t want housing.
Among the survey’s findings:
83 percent are men
48 percent are African American
31 percent are white
69 percent are single
26 percent served in the military
70 percent are 40 to 59 years old
58 percent have been panhandling for at least five years
53 percent panhandle seven days a week
60 percent make $25 a day or less
94 percent use the money for food
44 percent use it for drugs or alcohol
62 percent are disabled
25 percent are alcoholics
32 percent are addicted to drugs
82 percent are homeless
In total, 146 people participated in the survey.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

Yeah, maybe because I was walking my pet emu (as seen in my avatar), the pan handlers were intimidated?

Is it an Emotional Support Emu? The pan handlers may have been understanding?

[BS Beef]

Originally Posted by tomwed

Is it an Emotional Support Emu? The pan handlers may have been understanding?

[Average Guy]

Originally Posted by tomwed

from Everything You Think You Know About Panhandlers Is Wrong | ThinkProgress
In addition, some justify doing little to fight homelessness because, in their view, many homeless people don’t want help and prefer living on the streets. However, researchers discovered that, on the contrary, just 3 percent of panhandlers don’t want housing.
Among the survey’s findings:
83 percent are men
48 percent are African American
31 percent are white
69 percent are single
26 percent served in the military
70 percent are 40 to 59 years old
58 percent have been panhandling for at least five years
53 percent panhandle seven days a week
60 percent make $25 a day or less
94 percent use the money for food
44 percent use it for drugs or alcohol
62 percent are disabled
25 percent are alcoholics
32 percent are addicted to drugs
82 percent are homeless
In total, 146 people participated in the survey.

I used the link to read the article that you quoted. I think it is important to note that the survey was conducted among panhandlers in the Union Square area in San Francisco. It did not mention how many panhandlers declined to respond to the survey. I suspect that the "scammers" who were not really in need of money would be much more hesitant to answer questions that would identify them as being far from needy.

Also, the people in parking lots around The Villages who are asking for gas money are likely to be much different demographically from the panhandlers around Union Square in San Francisco. Anyone who has spent some time in the downtown area of a large city has likely seen homeless people sleeping on the streets. they are much different from the people around The Villages who are asking strangers for money.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by Average Guy

I used the link to read the article that you quoted. I think it is important to note that the survey was conducted among panhandlers in the Union Square area in San Francisco. It did not mention how many panhandlers declined to respond to the survey. I suspect that the "scammers" who were not really in need of money would be much more hesitant to answer questions that would identify them as being far from needy.

Also, the people in parking lots around The Villages who are asking for gas money are likely to be much different demographically from the panhandlers around Union Square in San Francisco. Anyone who has spent some time in the downtown area of a large city has likely seen homeless people sleeping on the streets. they are much different from the people around The Villages who are asking strangers for money.

You're right. The article is about a different group.
The guy that asked me for money at the gas station/market on 301 said he has been driving all night and needed some money for [gas I think or maybe a fountain drink]. He did look exhausted and as soon as possible I said, "I'm sorry, I can't help" and got out of there. I don't know if he was a con man or just a guy that needed 5 bucks.

[Retiring]

I (very) occasionally volunteer at a soup kitchen. We serve about 1100 people daily of which a small percentage actually lives on the street. I wish they would allow me to do my own survey. Based on personal observation of those that live on the street and not a shelter.

100% do so by choice.
100% have something going on mentally.
100% are eligible to receive an EBT card (food stamps), but mental issues preclude applying.
100% are eligible to receive welfare in the form of cash, but mental issues preclude applying.

Too many people that live on the street need the services of a mental health professional. Unfortunately, it’s not politically correct to say someone is “crazy.”

As for the gas panhandlers: What I’ve done the last 2 or 3 times I was approached, is to offer to buy the gas for them. I say I will meet you at your car and I will gladly buy you 2 or 3 gallons to get you home. You should see the backpedaling. Well sir, my car is many blocks away it would be easier if you just gave me the money rather than go… Hey it’s no problem, I’ve got a car I can meet you there in 5 mins. Well sir, it’s actually for a friend and she lives pretty far away so she would need more than a couple gallons. No problem, I’ll buy her 10 gals. let’s go. Well sir, my car is not at a gas station. No problem I’ve got a gas can in my trunk, I’ll meet you (I do not offer to give a ride) at your car. Never mind sir.

I used to keep a list of all the local food banks, soup kitchens (btw they serve complete meals) and shelters. I would have several in my car to give panhandlers that approached me. I stopped giving them out because I saw too many of these flyers on the street as trash. I felt that I was the cause of way too much litter.

Personal opinion: if you want to help give directly to the shelters, food banks and soup kitchens. You will have the satisfaction of knowing your money is not being spent on a bottle of vodka or his/her next fix.

When I see someone reach out of the car window to give someone (that is CLEARLY a junkie) a couple bucks, I feel sick. I know the harm that driver is causing to that person with his hand out for money. If a person with arms riddled with “track” marks reaches out to you for money, PLEASE do not give him any. When that person is found dead by overdose on a park bench, you will have the distinction of having contributed to that outcome.

If you feel you HAVE to give something to the panhandler, have a few bottles of water in your car and maybe some self-contained meals. I used to keep several little kits with tuna fish, crackers and a spoon, which are sold in the tuna fish section at the supermarket, but I used to see them littered on the ground at intersections, so I stopped that too. When I’m going into a fast food place to satisfy my personal addiction of diet coke and there is a beggar standing nearby, I’ll buy him a burger and bottle of water. If they are intent on staying out there, at least they won’t be hungry or thirsty.

Sorry for the morbid post but I’ve seen too much while volunteering in a soup kitchen. I just can’t stand it when people have their head in the sand and think they’re helping when in fact they’re doing great harm.

[Mleeja]

A quick Story about San Francisco. Stayed at the Hilton off Market street. The was a guy panhandling outside the enternce. Very neatly dressed. Went to SF again about two years later and stayed at the same Hilton. Yep, same guy was there!

[queasy27]

I don't like being approached by strangers in parking lots or gas stations, etc., but I do sometimes give money to panhandlers who beg at intersections. It doesn't matter to me what they do with the money or if they're truly "homeless." It's still an uncomfortable, tiring and sweaty way to get money, esp. in Texas and Florida. I'm sure they get called names and have trash thrown at them and I'm always very grateful that my life hasn't taken me down the same unfortunate path. Severe mental illness or catastrophic medical bills/financial reverses could still happen to me or anyone.

Even if the beggars use my money to buy drugs or alcohol, I still think that's better than if they rob someone for it.

[Taltarzac725]

https://www.facebook.com/hungryandhomeless?fref=nf Florida teacher goes homeless to spread his message

This retired teacher Thomas Francis Rebman has been doing a good job of educating people about the homeless in Orlando and elsewhere.


I have been following him on Facebook for more than a year.

There are scammers out there that will take advantage of people of course. But, there are homeless people who do need help. And, I really doubt if many of them are actually mentally ill. A few are but not that many. My guess is that the life of the homeless is very depressing in itself. Health & Homelessness

[kcrazorbackfan]

I miss having to occasionally use my Trooper voice so when I see someone approaching me, I will use that voice and tell them to "stop right there now". And it does still work. I still don't like someone walking towards me I don't know......

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

I miss having to occasionally use my Trooper voice so when I see someone approaching me, I will use that voice and tell them to "stop right there now". And it does still work. I still don't like someone walking towards me I don't know......

I'll have to try that voice myself.