Panhandlers

[Plutonic Panda]

If the world were full of attractive people I would agree with you. A quick shuffle through any grocery store should change your mind on that.

Can't argue with that.

[Urbanized]

PP has reportedly been living in SoCal. They could get away with public nakedness there much easier than most places.

[Plutonic Panda]

PP has reportedly been living in SoCal. They could get away with public nakedness there much easier than most places.

I came back last week and am here until November. I always see tons of people openly smoking mj but I haven't seen any people walking around naked although I did see some topless women riding bikes one day.

[Pete]

This is a very interesting read:

I Panhandled on an OKC Median and Survived! | The Lost Ogle

[betts]

I have mixed feelings about panhandlers, but since I can't vet their authenticity I don't give money, except to buy the Curbside Chronicle when I see it being sold. I try to give to local charities that support the poor and homeless instead.

[BBatesokc]

No Boundaries has an excellent homeless outreach missionary project. They literally go to homeless camps all over the city you'd have no idea existed. I've spent lots of time with homeless individuals and families. I can honestly say that I've never met anyone who panhandled who wasn't simply an addict and/or mentally challenged. The families I've met that were truly down on their luck didn't panhandle. They took advantage of social services and worked like crazy to find a job and a residence.

[ljbab728]

The new ordinance was passed by the city council and interesting perspective on that by Steve.

Oklahoma City Council passes panhandling ordinance | NewsOK.com

Thoughts on Panhandling | News OK

[krisb]

I know there are some prominent millenials who voted for Mick and Meg last time around who are finding themselves at odds with them on recent votes. I wonder how this will bode for them in future elections.

[ljbab728]

I know there are some prominent millenials who voted for Mick and Meg last time around who are finding themselves at odds with them on recent votes. I wonder how this will bode for them in future elections.

I doubt it will affect Mick. I don't expect him to run again. I also doubt there would be any serious challenge to Meg. Non-millennials make up the vast majority of the voting public and I suspect this new ordinance will be greatly approved by them.

[twade]

I doubt it will affect Mick. I don't expect him to run again. I also doubt there would be any serious challenge to Meg. Non-millennials make up the vast majority of the voting public and I suspect this new ordinance will be greatly approved by them.

I agree. While anecdotal, most millennials I know support the ordinance (or something being done--to be more exacting). This includes friends on both sides of the red-blue divide.

[krisb]

Most of the folks I talk to and hear from on social media are strongly opposed to this ordinance.

[hfry]

I would agree krisb but more than half couldn't tell me what the ordinance actually does. They just know the rhetoric that has been passed around by the people against it. I really think it was a missed opportunity by the groups that support the homeless(curbside chronicle) and therefor were against this ordinance to actually work with the city and pass something that worked for everyone.
I will say, the city council passing this under the premise of public safety( not being safe for people to stand for periods of time in medians at intersections) then I hope the same public safety ideals are carried on for bicyclists, greater expansion of sidewalks, making downtown more walkable, etc.

[mugofbeer]

Most of the folks I talk to and hear from on social media are strongly opposed to this ordinance.

I would also wager that most of those folks think panhandlers are normal, functioning members of society who are nothing more than a little down on their luck. As BBatesOKC said above, he has had significant interaction with them and his experience is that every one had mental issues or substance abuse/addiction issues. Giving a panhandler $ is nothing more than giving booze to an alcoholic. They need mental and addiction help. Not cash for booze.

[OKCinsomniac]

Most of the folks I talk to and hear from on social media are strongly opposed to this ordinance.

I'd wager this says more about the people you surround yourself with on social media rather than a true sense of what the electorate as a whole thinks.

[krisb]

I would also wager that most of those folks think panhandlers are normal, functioning members of society who are nothing more than a little down on their luck. As BBatesOKC said above, he has had significant interaction with them and his experience is that every one had mental issues or substance abuse/addiction issues. Giving a panhandler $ is nothing more than giving booze to an alcoholic. They need mental and addiction help. Not cash for booze.

Which is exactly why criminalizing their behavior is a bad idea. Everyone agrees panhandling is a problem. The question is how to address it.

[krisb]

I'd wager this says more about the people you surround yourself with on social media rather than a true sense of what the electorate as a whole thinks.

It's mostly people who make the 40 under 40 list, city planners, placemakers and the like. They may not represent the electorate (yet), but they are the heart and soul of the city.

[OKCinsomniac]

It's mostly people who make the 40 under 40 list, city planners, placemakers and the like. They may not represent the electorate (yet), but they are the heart and soul of the city.

Cool, congrats!

[Filthy]

It's mostly people who make the 40 under 40 list, city planners, placemakers and the like. They may not represent the electorate (yet), but they are the heart and soul of the city.

If there was a 26,500 under 40 list, I would probably be on it...because I'm under 40. So, I may not be that big of a deal...but I'm a pretty medium deal. Yet, I don't recall ever coming across one of your tweets? Just want to make sure...because like I said...when it comes to social media...I'm almost a big deal.

[Jersey Boss]

Finally the scourge of local fire fighters soliciting for MDA will be a thing of the past. /s/

[Urban Pioneer]

I find it interesting that the "Occupy" in "Occupy the medians" has immediately been misconstrued as part of the Occupy Movement.

'Occupy' protests over Oklahoma City panhandling ordinance gain traction in social media | News OK

I am sure that some of the activists don't recognize that as a problem. And in effect, the causes have a direct correlation. From a marketing standpoint however.... questionable in this part of the world.

[krisb]

If there was a 26,500 under 40 list, I would probably be on it...because I'm under 40. So, I may not be that big of a deal...but I'm a pretty medium deal. Yet, I don't recall ever coming across one of your tweets? Just want to make sure...because like I said...when it comes to social media...I'm almost a big deal.

Allison Barta Bailey, Ben Felder, and Kristen Vails have chimed in on the issue with their concerns.

[Tundra]

Finally the scourge of local fire fighters soliciting for MDA will be a thing of the past. /s/

Think God! Thats the hardest they work all year......Should be using their time being more productive

[Filthy]

Allison Barta Bailey, Ben Felder, and Kristen Vails have chimed in on the issue with their concerns.

Awesome! I'm pretty sure Allison and Ben both follow my 9 year old daughter on Instagram. She mostly just posts selfies, or an occasional pic of the family Shih Tzu......but every now and again she is known to push the envelope and post up pics of her lunch from the school cafeteria. But at 9...she's not one to get too involved in politics. She was also Student of the month in February of 14' at Deer Creek Elementary. So, I'm assuming, that puts here somewhere on a Top 10 under 10 list, for kids living north of Memorial Road, and West of Meridian.

Do you think you could get some of your 40 under 40 friends to like some of her pics?

[ctchandler]

Think God! Thats the hardest they work all year......Should be using their time being more productive

Tundra,
Why should they use their "off time" being more productive? They volunteer their time for a good cause whether you agree with it or not.
C. T.

[Tundra]

Tundra,
Why should they use their "off time" being more productive? They volunteer their time for a good cause whether you agree with it or not.
C. T.

They are on the clock, while standing in the street collecting money, I guess it's better than playing volleyball.