Panhandlers

[FighttheGoodFight]

When I was in St. Louis a while back I saw an interesting sign. It said that people could not panhandle at night, or within a certain distance from an ATM. There are ATMs on every corner so I assumed it was a clever way to stop panhandling. The whole time in the district we were in we weren't asked for money once. We saw homeless by the library and they didn't even bother asking.

[Martin]

[kevinpate]

I dunno. I know some younger folk where losing cell service would resonate far better than ill relatives or baby needs diapers or soooooo hungry.

[Urbanized]

Got "need to pay my cellphone bill" story last night @ PennSquare.. Honestly have never heard that one, what a terrible lie. I mean at least try.

Hey, I need a trip to Acapulco. Can anyone spare a few bucks?

[Bellaboo]

This reminds me of the fat guy with the megaphone at the Thunder games. He started a go fund me account so he can afford to buy his expensive season tickets behind the goal. Nooooo.

[Just the facts]

Kind of on topic.

[turnpup]

This reminds me of the fat guy with the megaphone at the Thunder games. He started a go fund me account so he can afford to buy his expensive season tickets behind the goal. Nooooo.

So he's not being paid to do that? The way he walks around so authoritatively, I figured he had some sort of arrangement with management.

[Bellaboo]

So he's not being paid to do that? The way he walks around so authoritatively, I figured he had some sort of arrangement with management.

His excuse was he had taken a lesser paying job and needed help buying his ticket. He's just after attention as far as I'm concerned.

[rezman]

Something that I saw today that was somewhat ironic, if not humerous, was a group of Dairy Queen employees occupying the panhandlers corner on Penn & Quail Springs avertising "Now Hiring" at the new location just north of there.

[RadicalModerate]

I called the police after an encounter with an aggressive panhandler on my way to work today. It made me feel real good. I hope the prick resisted arrest.

[ctchandler]

I called the police after an encounter with an aggressive panhandler on my way to work today. It made me feel real good. I hope the prick resisted arrest.

RM,
What do you mean "aggressive"? Just curious. I assume it wasn't pleasant, you don't remind me of the kind of person that would call the police because the panhandler gave you a dirty look.
C. T.

[RadicalModerate]

I was sitting in the inside lane, next to the median at a red light, northbound on Penn, just south of Memorial. I was the third car back from the light. A dude I might describe as a "ninja skinhead" threw down his backpack next to the first car in the line and approached the driver then started walking south on the median. The person in the car in front of me handed him what looked like some sort of "To Go" box from a restaurant. He continued south as I attempted to avoid eye contact. Despite this, the dick started some "Gimme" spiel with me and I said, "Just keep moving." He continued his pitch and I again said, "Keep moving, man." He walked few more steps and started ranting in my direction including phrases like, ". . . kick your ass." About that time the light turned green and I went on about my business. The non-emergency police dispatcher I talked to, a few minutes later, was very sympathetic and helpful. She indicated that my concern and call was not uncommon and said she would send a patrol car to the described location. Like I said: I hope the prick gave the cop some crap and then resisted arrest.

[Laramie]

Encountered an aggressive panhandler (appear to be in his 30s) near the Belle Isle Station Shops area who used that same phrase, ". . . kick your ass."

Just smiled at him and replied, "You got a lot of ass to kick."

[bradh]

So what are all the people in the safety vests along Reno collecting for? They hand out a slip of paper.

[BBatesokc]

I think police do take these calls seriously. Its not uncommon to see 'aggravated panhandling' arrests on the jail blotter.

[Bellaboo]

So what are all the people in the safety vests along Reno collecting for? They hand out a slip of paper.

They hit the capitol area also, they are promoting their church, at least that's what they say....

[bombermwc]

I've always been torn between being able to trust panhandlers and the desire to help others that are truly in need. I don't feel like handing out money is a good way to handle it because that's often not what they really need. There's almost always an underlying issue for those that are truly in need of help. Those that are after money for liquor or just for money, ruin in the trust for everyone else.

The best story I can give is when I was in college. I was eating at a Long John Silvers on 23rd (now a Basil). This guy I see sitting at the bus stop fairly frequently comes over and asks me for change. I don't carry money, I only carry plastic these days. So I truthfully tell him all I have is a few quarters. He's asking for a ride to Tinker to get to a job, mind you. I figure, well I do see him at the bus stop a lot, so maybe he's telling the truth. After telling him that I'm not going to give him a ride, he tries to start crying at me. I apologize for not being able to help, get up, and head to my car. I'm sitting there a minute to see what happens....lo' and behold, I see him come out, cross the street and head into Byron's Liquor Warehouse. I saw that guy at that same bus stop for a few more months, but who knows what happened to him. I only ate there twice, and each time I had something happen. The afore mentioned story, then the next time one of the cooks came out, wrote his number on a piece of paper and offered to trick out my Saturn if I gave him a call. I can't imagine why the place didn't make it. LOL.

Anyway, since then, I feel like the best way to handle these is to offer the voucher. It gives them a free ride on the bus to the shelter, where they can get a free meal, and access to help. It's up to them whether they take it, but if they are interested in getting help, it is a safe way to do it. You can generally see the motives of the person by looking to see if they accept it gratefully or if they get angry and throw it. I've seen both happen. Real Change « The Homeless Alliance ? Oklahoma City, OK

[SoonerDave]

I think one thing our church has learned over the years is that there are some folks who really want the help and appreciate it, and then there are freeloaders who just siphon from whatever system is in place until they exhaust it, and move on to the next resource - and the latter spoils it for the former.

The last thing I will do is give someone cash. There's just too much information both from research and anecdotes that most cash goes to unfruitful habits. If someone tells me they need gas, I'll offer to buy them a tank, and if that's what they really need, they usually are very appreciative. If they start offering an attitude, I just move on.

That's essentially how our church operates - when someone comes by looking for cash for gas, we have a limited about of discretionary funds to buy someone a tank of gas on a credit card from a station near the church, and a staffer takes care of it. We have a food pantry managed by one of our Sunday School classes that tries to keep basics in supply. But as I understand it, we do little to no direct cash disbursement to anyone "off the street."

I was approached once by someone *IN LOWE'S* (not in the parking lot) and I was instantly mistrustful due to circumstances - one of those "instinct" things that kicked in, and I mentioned it to their security person. They instantly knew who it was, and the guy asked "did you give her anything?" And I said, "no," and he said "good, she's a problem here and we've had to chase her off before..."

It's just frustrating when you want to help someone who is less fortunate, but you hear so much about just scammers and drunks and such that you get jaundiced about the whole notion of helping people. And that necessarily implies folks out there who do need the help aren't getting it.

[Laramie]

If a person asks me for small change for food or whatever, I help them if I'm able. What he/she uses it for is really not my concern; he or she can take that up with their maker.

There's no need to apologize to people who ask for help if you can't help them. They haven't got it or they wouldn't have solicited you.

Caution: Never let them see you open your wallet. Recall an incident in Fort Worth at a convenient store gas station where a man attempted to help a panhandler. He opened his wallet, took out a $20 dollar bill, the panhandler then snatched his wallet and took off. The guy told me he had all of his IDs (more of his concern), along with $600 in $100 dollar bills. You need to always exercise caution, keep your car doors locked once inside. If approached, lower your window just enough to give them some change or a $1 bill.

[SoonerDave]

...
Caution: Never let them see you open your wallet. ....

Very salient advice. Even if I offer to buy someone a tank of gas, I'm suspicious enough (right or wrong) to see what's going on around me before I do anything. I make sure my car is locked, and my own gas transaction is done. I survey the area in case anyone else "curious" might be lurking, and the wallet doesn't come out of the pocket until *after* I go *inside* to the clerk and say "put $Y on pump X."

The pros know that kids help any panhandling situation, and I've actually seen a scenario where a couple wanted everyone to *think* they had a small baby; "mom" cradling a blanket where "baby" was wrapped up. They had attracted quite a crowd. But anytime anyone got close enough to see the "baby," mom would recoil; when she moved back a bit, a fold in the blanket opened up and it was immediately apparent there was no baby at all, just a couple of pros working the crowd for whatever they could.

I left.

[Urbanized]

It is good to know and understand OKC's aggressive panhandling ordinance, and what constitutes "aggressive". I have many times reported people in violation. Here is the ordinance: http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/griff...ing%20laws.pdf

Some important highlights:

1. It is illegal to threaten when panhandling
2. It is illegal for a panhandler to touch someone when asking
3. They cannot follow you or block your way on a sidewalk
4. They must stop asking after receiving a negative response
5. It is illegal to panhandle within 20 feet of an ATM, or the entrance of a business
6. Panhandlers may not ask for money after dark

There are a number of other provisions, but if a panhandler breaks any of these rules, I let them know that they have violated the ordinance and that if they don't leave me alone or if I see them panhandling anyone else I will call the police. I have done it many, many times, and the PoPo will absolutely respond and will either thoroughly dissuade them OR will often cuff and stuff. I've never called or threatened to call the cops for someone playing by the rules, but if they break any of the provisions in the aggressive panhandling ordinance (especially threatening behavior, touching, or asking after dark), all bets are off.

[Bellaboo]

7. They are also supposed to have a permit, at least at one time they were.

[C_M_25]

The new trend I've noticed:

Kids baseball, softball, etc teams with their coaches out asking for money for fundraisers!!!!! It is usually a small number of kids, but I CAN"T BELIEVE IT!! Kids are in the median asking for money! Go sell some dang candy bars!!

[LocoAko]

The new trend I've noticed:

Kids baseball, softball, etc teams with their coaches out asking for money for fundraisers!!!!! It is usually a small number of kids, but I CAN"T BELIEVE IT!! Kids are in the median asking for money! Go sell some dang candy bars!!

Yep. Got off I-235 at 23rd a few weeks ago and every corner was swarming with them.

[bradh]

Damn you guys beat me to it. Saw a football team begging on Hefner and Rockwell this weekend. I felt really bad for the kids because this is just absolutely terrible to teach these kids. If there is a team washing cars, if I have cash I will always stop. We did the same thing as kids. You are teaching them NOTHING!