Originally Posted by Michael G. (Post 2009052)

When we cross 441/27 to go to Walmart, many days there are homeless people looking
for money or a handout.

Do you donate to their cause?

What's you opinion on them being there?

Originally Posted by MandoMan (Post 2009208)

For 25 years, my dad volunteered as a chaplain for the Denver Police Department and was in fact the head chaplain and carried a lieutenant’s shield. He often walked along the Platte River on the path and would sit on park benches and chat with whoever was sitting there. Often that was a homeless person, and often he asked the question asked by the original poster. The answer was similar to yours. He several times parked his personal car near where a “homeless” person was begging, then followed the person to his or her car and followed the person home or watched the “homeless” person get picked up by a car full of similar people and driven home, just so he would know for sure.

The “homeless” people my dad talked to generally said something like “If you want to give a liar money for drinks or drugs, go ahead. If you want to help, donate to homeless shelters. Some of these people are real homeless people in need, but most of those are already cared for by the city or county and will be back on their feet again soon.”

I don’t know if this is true or not. There’s a long history of restless men (nearly always men) who for various reasons have to keep moving and ride the rails or whatever. During the 1920s and especially the 1930s, there were thousands who were honestly seeking a days hard work in exchange for a bed and a couple meals or a place as a hired man on a farm. These days, if you don’t want to work, it’s easier to survive in the cities.

I would favor renting land for homeless camps on American Indian reservations, setting up hundreds of nice 9x12’ cabins at each site, and group showers, restrooms, and mess halls, then paying the Indians to guard them and keep them safe. And there. Then make services available only there and forbid panhandling and vagrancy in cities. This would be much cheaper and more efficient and kinder than the current situation. Certainly much cheaper than jail time.

Originally Posted by Michael G. (Post 2009052)

When we cross 441/27 to go to Walmart, many days there are homeless people looking
for money or a handout.

Do you donate to their cause?

What's you opinion on them being there?

Originally Posted by mcwood4d (Post 2009345)

My philosophy is "don't feed the bears" 🤣. I know some are struggling but there's a LOT of work to be had. You can get up to $20/hr PLUS BENEFITS for working a drive thru window.

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe (Post 2009374)

All these ideas of setting up tent cities, etc. are wonderful. You are forgetting the key element: They have to agree to certain rules (no drugs/alcohol/fighting/etc.) and MANY do not want to do so. That's why many prefer to be on the street than the rescue mission.

Don't want homeless around? They are like pigeons. Ever see a skinny pigeon? Don't feed them and they will go somewhere else where they can get food. They will not die, or suffer needlessly, or be very inconvenienced. They will simply pick up and go somewhere else.

Don't feed the pigeons.

Originally Posted by Charbo8@att.net (Post 2009355)

The homeless is now a for profit organization. During the shifts the handlers collect the money. At the end of the shift the scammer gets his %. I do not understand why The Villages would allow a for profit organization beg in their community. Sad to hear this

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 2009159)

Well, I may have read something into it unjustifiably. Mother Theresa is one of my role models. Half of me is debating with my other half.