[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by jblum315

1. Publix always has someone offer to walk you to your car. Maybe your wife should accept this offer.
2. Don't shop at night.
3. The manger is correct - Publix does not control the parking lot.

This happened at 11:00 in the morning. The problem was that she was in the golf cart and the panhandlers also had a golf cart.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

This happened at 11:00 in the morning. The problem was that she was in the golf cart and the panhandlers also had a golf cart.

The panhandlers were in a golf cart?? That's weird......

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by gerryann

The panhandlers were in a golf cart?? That's weird......

Yup, one was in a red golf cart. We think they might live over in the Historic District. We may have seen them driving around here.

[bimmertl]

Originally Posted by Irishmen

Its a safety issue. In Marion County, the county commission had a ordinance in place for all the corner panhandlers but one sued and actually won 150,000 for violation of 1st amendment rights. They went back and changed the ordinance to focus on safety at intersections and all that and now they're gone. At Walmart, We had one guy approach say he was out of gas, we said no thank you, he goes around the corner gets on his bike. Lol.

No, he didn't win $150,000, it was $10,000.


the 13th juror: Homeless man wins $10,000 <br>in panhandling lawsuit

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

My wife was approached by a man in the Publix parking lot on LaGrande Plaza near Spanish Springs. She said the man was very dirty and looked as though he was on drugs. He seemed threatening to her. When she refused, he approached an older gentleman who through a bunch of change at him and ran to his car. When my wife got to her golf cart there was another man looking very dirty and very much like the first man parked in front of her. She took off and stop to call the police. Suddenly they pulled up beside her and demanded to know who she was calling. She said that she was just calling her husband and they took off.

She is now terrified. She was afraid to drive home because she thought that they might follow her so she went into Publix and told the manager. The manager explained that they had no control or responsibility over what goes on in the parking lot. She stayed at Publix for a while and finally drove home.

She is now terrified and concerned that they are going to came and break into our house. She is young and from another country so she was afraid to call the police.

Just be aware of these guys. there have been a few shady characters in this area lately.

I sincerely hate that your wife was frightened. I also want you to know that I appreciate the heads-up about the men. It isn't any of my business, but since you put it out there, why would she be afraid to call the police? Please, help her understand to never hesitate to call the police or seek out a police officer if she needs help for anything. Teach her about 911 and to not be afraid of the police.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Irishmen

Its a safety issue. In Marion County, the county commission had a ordinance in place for all the corner panhandlers but one sued and actually won 150,000 for violation of 1st amendment rights. They went back and changed the ordinance to focus on safety at intersections and all that and now they're gone. At Walmart, We had one guy approach say he was out of gas, we said no thank you, he goes around the corner gets on his bike. Lol.

The guy getting on his bike sounds like the one we encountered at a Sonic in Orlando.LOL

[rubicon]

Something about the explanation of these panhandlers is just not right. It would seem that these folks can be forced to move on just because of the loitering rules and possibly people feeling harassed. I can't imagine a store claiming no responsibility for activities in their parking lot. If someone tripped and fell in the parking lot you know the injured party is looking to the store and those maintaining the parking lot . The Publix manager mentioned is getting away with this because no one has pushed the issue

[B767drvr]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

My wife...

She is young and from another country...

Attaboy Doc!

[Pietrina1]

I am wondering why no one, either the Publix manager or the woman, called The Villages Security or the Police

[sharonga]

My daughter was accosted at that same area. About a year ago. A young guy and an old guy. Almost carjacked her until a lady came along and they ran away.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by bkcunningham1

I sincerely hate that your wife was frightened. I also want you to know that I appreciate the heads-up about the men. It isn't any of my business, but since you put it out there, why would she be afraid to call the police? Please, help her understand to never hesitate to call the police or seek out a police officer if she needs help for anything. Teach her about 911 and to not be afraid of the police.

In her country calling the police is useless. If they do show up at all, the chances are that they might extort money from you. I've tried to explain that most police in this country are not like that. She is still a bit leery and at this point feels that there is nothing the police can do. I've tried to explain that you file a report on the incident and then the police are aware of this kind of activity and will keep a look out for it. She has a hard time understanding that.

The other thing is that she wasn't touched and the guy never really got any closer than about fifteen feet from her so I'm not really even sure what we would report.

[patfla06]

Whether he touched her or not he acted in a threatening manner.
No man should be approaching a woman alone.

Must have been very scary!

[rubicon]

Let's face it we live in a less safe world today. The police can't be everywhere and so it falls upon us all. Publix along with others in thisand all surrounding shopping area should maintain good recording cameras, perhaps share in private security guards to patrol the area and with some safety meetings find other avenues of protection.

Private citizens should arm themselves with mace, perhaps some training in self defense, awareness, avoidance and getting a better handling on the do's and do nots when con fronted.

Its pretty obvious these panhandlers and their like have little concern patrolling these areas which in my view speaks volumes

[PammyJ]

Originally Posted by DonH57

The guy getting on his bike sounds like the one we encountered at a Sonic in Orlando.LOL

This has happened to me four times in recent years. The idiot at walmart in Palm Bay goes to the same store every time. didn't believe he was out of gas the first time, wonder what he is thinking?
There have been several times where I have seen others hanging around the parking lot and approaching other people. Most of the time they stay away from me due to the fact that I start throwing my stuff around and acting all crazy. Works almost very time! This type of panhandling is more common than you think, especially in Brevard County.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

In her country calling the police is useless. If they do show up at all, the chances are that they might extort money from you. I've tried to explain that most police in this country are not like that. She is still a bit leery and at this point feels that there is nothing the police can do. I've tried to explain that you file a report on the incident and then the police are aware of this kind of activity and will keep a look out for it. She has a hard time understanding that.

The other thing is that she wasn't touched and the guy never really got any closer than about fifteen feet from her so I'm not really even sure what we would report.

Here I go on another rant. Another cup of coffee please…

First, whoever is giving the panhandlers money stop it! If there were no reward they would go away. This is their work. They hassle and aggravate people until they get money.

Second, if you are too timid, young, small, old, or infirm, to walk past these people without giving off a signal that you are a good victim, prepare some defence:
Hold a loud alarm in your hand, or A canister of pepper spray, put a whistle around your neck. At the very least learn how to set off the alarm on your car from a distance and scream like you mean it.

Third, thank you for the reminder that certain areas are not safe to be in the villages. I will try to remember to carry my gun in those areas. And the whistle. I like my whistle...