panhandlers!

[BBatesokc]

Take your pick folks. Don't use one brush to paint them all.

YouTube - Panhandler scammer

YouTube - "A real life Panhandler."

[julieriggs]

Pimp This Bum!

A couple of documentary film makers decided to "adopt" a bum as a social experiment. Their enthusiastic volunteer Tim is actually from Midwest City. Watch the videos... fascinating!

I think all of your opinions are partially correct... some are scam artists, some are mentally ill, many are drug addicts. The only real solution is for them to learn to help themselves. In the meantime, we can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the sick. It won't fix the problem. The poor will always be with us.

[BBatesokc]

I did this interview with a local homeless man right before thanksgiving a few years ago...

YouTube - Interview with Larry (Homeless in OKC)

I've actually interviewed about 15 homeless people, just not sure what to do with the interviews. I stayed in a homeless camp near the old downtown airport for few days once, to get a feel for it.

[Prunepicker]

I just love all of the 'anonymous' sources regarding
how well off these panhandlers really are.

My sources are local news and doing the unthinkable. Asking if they'd like
to work.

I've NEVER EVER had anyone leave their perch. I suggest you try it instead
of complaining about real experiences. You'll be shocked.

I double dog dare you to try and help one of them off of their perch.

[BailJumper]

And, thank you, I'll take the label bleeding heart any day. Compared to the alternative, I'm glad to have compassion and empathy for others. I'm teaching my kids to have the same traits.

Actually, its more than being a bleeding heart - its being an enabler. They might as well walk them into a bar and buy them a shot of whiskey. Oh, wait, that wouldn't pacify ones conscious would it?

[bretthexum]

I'll give them food, but I won't give them any money. And for all the tax free making hundreds a day nonsense - give me a break. What a glamorous life that is... standing on a streetcorner in the rain/snow/cold begging for money and food.

[metro]

The Homeless Alliance has the "Real Change Not Spare Change" program. You can buy little booklets of "real change" vouchers to give to those in need instead of money. They are bus vouchers that are only valid to go to shelters and homeless services.

http://www.homelessalliance.org/realchange.htm

However, sometimes if I'm downtown and I don't have any vouchers on me, I'll give them a buck. I know I won't spend it any wiser than they will. Better to err on the side of generosity, I think.

These coupons aren't much more effective. They trade them amongst themselves like cash, it just takes a few extra to get what they want instead of actual dollars.

[fourthworldtraffic]

The reality is that they are us. Paradise just a pink and a prescription slip away.

[Prunepicker]

The reality is that they are us. Paradise just a pink and a prescription slip
away.

That's great! I about died laughing.

Keep the humor rolling!

[Prunepicker]

These coupons aren't much more effective. They trade them amongst
themselves like cash, it just takes a few extra to get what they want instead
of actual dollars.

Does anyone know the going rate for the "Welfare Credit Card"? You know,
the one that replaced food stamps in order to help their (lol) self esteem.

They were getting 30 to 40 cents on the dollar for food stamps. Is it the
same with the Welfare Credit Card?

[Prunepicker]

Does anyone remember when the welfare services provided real food? It was
that awesome commodity food. The cheese and peanut butter was great.
The meat was good, too.

How do I know this? They didn't want the food, they wanted the money so
we'd buy it for next to nothing. They'd always give the powdered milk away
because nobody would use it. We hippies had connections :-)

I'd like to find some of that cheese and peanut butter. Does anyone know
where it came from? I heard a rumor that the cheese was kept in Mammoth
Cave. That's in Kentucky. The temperature never got above or below 65.

[SoonerDave]

I'll give them food, but I won't give them any money. And for all the tax free making hundreds a day nonsense - give me a break. What a glamorous life that is... standing on a streetcorner in the rain/snow/cold begging for money and food.

Who suggested it was glamorous? Or desirable? As for it being "nonsense," well, you'll have to go back to the person who said it while refusing the opportunity to work.

I was merely reporting the experience of some people who really thought they were helping someone by getting them a job, and found those efforts spewed back in their face.

[bretthexum]

Who suggested it was glamorous? Or desirable? As for it being "nonsense," well, you'll have to go back to the person who said it while refusing the opportunity to work.

I was merely reporting the experience of some people who really thought they were helping someone by getting them a job, and found those efforts spewed back in their face.

I don't doubt the fact they refused work. I see where you are coming from. But I really find it hard to believe that these people are making hundreds a day sitting on a corner.

[Karried]

I'm not naive, I'm not stupid and I don't have any reason or need to 'pacify' my conscious.

What I don't like here is the idea that every single person holding a sign or asking for help is a scheming, money grubbing, loser, good for nothing drug addict or alcoholic just trying to screw you out of a buck.

I hate the ridiculous sense of superiority that some people have 'looking down your nose at those less fortunate. I'm so much better than you because I was so perfect and did the right thing and life worked out for me.. sucks to be you doesn't it? '

ugh. And I hate these threads... and I hate defending myself over and over because I do care about a person (for whatever reason) standing out in rain or snow or smothering heat and now reduced to begging for loose change. And I hate that so many in our society could give a crap. So sue me.

[metro]

Does anyone know the going rate for the "Welfare Credit Card"? You know,
the one that replaced food stamps in order to help their (lol) self esteem.

They were getting 30 to 40 cents on the dollar for food stamps. Is it the
same with the Welfare Credit Card?

I don't know. Seems like I went to a workshop, shelter or something a year or more ago about the "homeless coupon program" and they said something to the tune like 5 coupons and they could get a beer, 20 and they could get something like a joint, sex, etc.

Also watched an YouTube video from a pastor or someone who works with the homeless and was talking from an interesting perspective stating that the homeless person might need the money more than they need you to buy them a $1 cheeseburger from McDonalds, etc. Sometimes they have serious addictions to drugs and quitting cold turkey could cause serious medical damage, coma, etc. Sometimes they need the money to buy protection from getting beat up or killed, etc. Makes you think whose place is it really to judge if you're put in an opportunity to help someone out.

[hoya]

I represent a lot of homeless people. The idea that they're all raking in the money is ridiculous. Are there a few who have made decent cash doing it? Sure, maybe one out of a thousand. I know a handful of people who make a lot of money gambling at casinos. That doesn't mean everyone who goes in there comes out rich. Hell, if begging for change gave you enough money to buy a nice house and drive a Hummer, then I'm the dumbass for going to law school.

The vast majority of homeless people have mental illnesses and drug addictions. Yes, if you give them money, some of it will probably go to feeding their addiction. Work? Most of them have mental illnesses that make work difficult if they're not getting medication. You want to help them? Donate to shelters and places like the Jesus House.

Of course, the homeless problem in OKC is minimal compared to most large cities.

[PennyQuilts]

I think the topic we've been discussing is panhandling. Most of the poor don't do it - in fact, relatively few do. I absolutely agree that it is a wonderful thing to donate to shelters and places like Jesus House. People who live there really do tend to be down on their luck for a variety of reasons. You can agree or disagree with those reasons but the bottom line is that they are in need. People panhandling may or may not be a scammers.

[Prunepicker]

I don't doubt the fact they refused work. I see where you are coming from.
But I really find it hard to believe that these people are making hundreds a
day sitting on a corner.

I doubt it, too. But they ain't hurtin'. I would guess it's between $50 and
$100.

60 Minutes did a spot about street musicians in NYC, @ 1985. They were
admitting to bringing home $35,000 + a year. Of course it was tax free and
most of them were on some sort of welfare. 35 large in 85 was good bread!
Even in NYC.

[Prunepicker]

I'm not naive, I'm not stupid and I don't have any reason or need to 'pacify'
my conscious... etc...

Some people can be very ugly, and that's not a good thing. You're doing
what your heart tells you to do. There's nothing wrong with that. We're
only pointing out that the majority of them are phony.

Wanting to help the unfortunate is admirable. Most of us are skeptical
because of past experiences. I've learned to never give money. I have a
bag that our church puts together. It's food and some evangelical material.
MOSTLY food. I will only give it to one person, once. If I see them on the
corner again, they get nothing.

You should continue to do what you honestly and truly believe is the right
thing to do. At the same time, we should warn others of being taken
advantage of.

Nobody should call you stupid or naive.

[Prunepicker]

I represent a lot of homeless people.

We're not talking about the homeless, aka winos, drug addicts, transients
etc...

We ARE talking about scammers.

[Generals64]

I'm not naive, I'm not stupid and I don't have any reason or need to 'pacify' my conscious.

What I don't like here is the idea that every single person holding a sign or asking for help is a scheming, money grubbing, loser, good for nothing drug addict or alcoholic just trying to screw you out of a buck.

I hate the ridiculous sense of superiority that some people have 'looking down your nose at those less fortunate. I'm so much better than you because I was so perfect and did the right thing and life worked out for me.. sucks to be you doesn't it? '

ugh. And I hate these threads... and I hate defending myself over and over because I do care about a person (for whatever reason) standing out in rain or snow or smothering heat and now reduced to begging for loose change. And I hate that so many in our society could give a crap. So sue me.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Easy Girl:...There are so many of them tht work for one person...Who then gives them a small portion of the monies collected....On the corner of Reno and Eastern one time a guy had a sign said "why Lie" I need a cigarette and a beer....I stopped said "Really?" he said yes...I told him to tear up the sign and get off the street and I'd go get him a beer and a pack of cigarettes. He did and I did...six pack and a cigarettes.....One of the other guys started begging for a beer and the guy told him to get his boss to buy him one....Maybe I was wrong but, He got off the street for that part of time....We did some work with the Church one time and the big boss was really upset with the workers.....Yes some of them work for another guy..... and he challenged us about what we were doing.....Police are always close enough......But it's not going to change...In Las Vegas, they have to have a permit to panhandle.....How does that work?

[sooners83]

The group that runs the Memorial & Penn area make some bank. I was eating in that Wendy's when one of the guys came in to count how much he had, he prob had over $100 in ones, just for that day. My guess is it is all tax free!

I figure if they need food or clothing, I can help. When it comes to money, until I am 100% debt free, I need it just as much as they do.

I believe this is the career path they chose to do. If you can stand/sit on the corner all day begging for money, you can stand behind a register and say "Can I take your order" or "Welcome to Walmart" (nothing against those jobs). The fact is they can make more begging for money, it is tax free, that is why they do it.

[Prunepicker]

I believe this is the career path they chose to do.

You nailed it on the head.

DUH! It's the career path they chose to do. Whether we want to believe it or
not, there are many, many jobs available with no experience necessary. In
fact they'll train you. Has anyone looked in the Sunday Oklahoman? Don't
tell me they can't find work.

Panhandling is easy and non-taxable. I'll bet they vote democrat, too. Hey!
That means they voted for BO! Go figure.

[PennyQuilts]

For over a year I worked at a place in DC and I had to go through an underpass to get to my office. It wasn't a scary place - foot traffic went through there and was intended to. The Metro stop was on one side of the track and you had to walk under the track to get to the offices.

The tunnel was full of panhandlers and usually the same ones. I got to work, early, about 7:30 (had to catch the Metro an hour earlier than that to get to work on time - made for long days). I'd leave at 5:00 every evening and sometimes I would cut through there to go to lunch if I wanted to go to one of the restaurants on the other side of the tunnel.

One lady was there day in and day out, rain or shine. She was standing - not sitting - all day, everyday. Clearly not unable to work. She'd vacation in Colorado during two months in the winter (she had family there) but she stayed during the tourist season because she made good money. I got friendly with her (never gave her any money) and she explained that she worked for a guy and this was better than hooking. She shared her take with him in exchange for protection. She had an apartment and liked to cook. One day, she just didn't show up. I changed jobs about three weeks later but never saw her, again. I don't know if she went on vacation or what, but I changed jobs in November so maybe that was it.

[Prunepicker]

Hey! How many of you have been approached by black guys wanting some
change? Here's the clincher, how many of you have had the "racist" card
thrown in your face if you refuse?

Here's what I do and it works every time. When anyone approaches me,
whether at a gas station or on the street in Bricktown, I always ask them if
they have $20 they can give me. You should see the looks on their faces.
It also nips the "racist" card in the bud. I have turned the tables on a few
black guys, it's always black guys and not gals, and played the "racist" card
against them.

It's a riot to see them try to squirm out of it.