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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsForget gangs and drugs, you need to be worried about panhandling
SAN BERNARDINO - The panhandlers who crowd busy intersections and shopping lots are a sign of the city's decline and a contributor to it, many say, and are more of a problem to them than drastic cutbacks of city services or rising crime.
"Panhandling is the No. 1 reason people give for leaving San Bernardino," said City Attorney James F. Penman. "Panhandling is a chronic problem with this city. It goes right to the quality of life."
Police say they've gotten the message and are fine-tuning a plan to address panhandling.
"This issue has created a significant hurdle for our ultimate goal of creating a safer city," said police Lt. Mike Madden, who is in charge of developing the plan.
Madden noted that San Bernardino has significant problems, including gangs and drugs, but that's not what officers hear about.
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_22512569/san-bernardino-police-target-panhandling#ixzz2KW6m6Uj4
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Why not just take care of those who have gotten the shaft by this society? Wouldn't that make more sense?
-Laelth
Duckhunter935
(16,974 posts)They used to pass a baby between a couple of ladies when I was there a few years ago. Play on the emotions.
Smilo
(1,944 posts)and sometimes I still do if the mood strikes me.
What blew it for me is I would see the same faces - with slightly different signs over and over - the ones saying they needed gas money, food, etc. And then one day I was approached by a couple asking for bus fare back to their motel which was on the other side of town - I literally scraped my purse and came up with $2.17 (I remember the amount) - I apologized and said I wish I had more but this is all I have and you are welcome to it - the man took the money and then started swearing at me and said I was the most @#@## P.o.s. he had come across and how could they get across town on that - the woman looked at me and wished me a nice trip to hell.
After that, I am very careful and most times just give to my local shelters and the charities that care for the homeless.
Yes, there are genuine cases out there, but once bitten twice shy.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)I don't expect he'd want to now.
sad-cafe
(1,277 posts)the better half went to the mall once. Upon getting out of the vehicle, someone came around the corner making the better half jump a mile high. Asked for money and then asked for a ride. Followed the better half all the way into the store. The better half notified the employees of the store and they called the police.
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)As if there are many of these and as if they really provide help. We have pan handlers now because we have decimated the social services network.
This is the truth.
"They arrest me for trying to sell recyclables or having something to drink because I'm too cold, or for panhandling, and soon I'm out and don't have anything to do but go back to it," Miller said.
A Hemet resident until he lost his welding business, Miller now lives on the streets of north San Bernardino and was having a slow day of "asking for help" at the Walmart on Hallmark Parkway.
He said he's been to various shelters and rehabilitation centers, but never got the help he wanted.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
eShirl
(18,504 posts)Coyote_Tan
(194 posts)In most of the tourist areas, in our experience, it was a steady and constant stream and it really diminished the enjoyment of the trip.
My wife felt unsafe and I didn't appreciate the hassle or the smell of the city so we won't be back until it gets cleaned up.
YMMV
Ron Obvious
(6,261 posts)I love the city but when I was there for a convention some years back, the entire route we walked from the hotel to the Mosconi Centre was quite literally lined with pan-handlers. When eating in a fast-food place, you saw them standing outside looking in, with their noses pressed against the glass, and when someone got up from their table to go the bathroom, someone would dash in from outside and take the leftovers from their table. It felt downright predatory.
I never mind helping anyone out, but a former addict friend of mine rather exposed the panhandling trade to me, and now I'm rather reluctant.
The last time I gave money to a panhandler, it was when an elderly black man came up to me with a huge smile on his face, and said he was starting a new job next week but was temporarily caught short. He handed me a grubby business card that said something like Dr. Levi Weissbaum, MD, urologist.
I realised it was pretty unlikely that this was actually Dr. Levi Weissbaum, urologist, standing in front of me, but I gave him $5 for sheer effrontery and we both had a good laugh over it.
Coyote_Tan
(194 posts)...that a beggar is scamming so
I just don't hand out and donate to my preferred charities ( wounded warrior etc...)
Gemini Cat
(2,820 posts)Not everyone is out to scam you. Most are not. Have a little compassion.
Coyote_Tan
(194 posts)Just not for them directly...
I prefer to give to an organization that is more likely to use it in a way I would agree with.
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)Coyote_Tan
(194 posts)... From Wounded Warrior Foundation than the drug addict on the corner.
Do what you like with your money and Ill do the same.
Financial Performance Metrics
Program Expenses 55.0%
Administrative Expenses 8.0%
Fundraising Expenses 36.8%
Fundraising Efficiency $0.30
Primary Revenue Growth 49.0%
Program Expenses Growth 43.1%
Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.50
daleo
(21,317 posts)Maybe it was the time of year.
cliffordu
(30,994 posts)The Flaming Red Head
(1,805 posts)Best sign ever!
The Flaming Red Head
(1,805 posts)Last edited Mon Feb 11, 2013, 09:04 AM - Edit history (4)
The people walk by you
And act like they know you
Call you a crack head right to your face
While laughing
Discuss how you must be illiterate
Wrinkle their noses as if you smell
Even though you had a bath that morning
Make fun of your clothes
Homeless clothes are a reason
To not let you use the restroom
But when you bought them
You had a home
And they hung in a closet
Just a short time ago
Dying of thirst
And no where is the water free anymore
Close your eyes on a park bench
During the day
And you get a ticket
My long dead wobbly father is rolling
In his grave
Its against the law to take a nap
in the city of New Orleans
This is
Your land
Buy, Buy
Woody Guthrie
We need your
Fascist killing machine
back again
OH Wait
I forgot
all the fascist killing machines
must be in by 8pm
New rules
for a new,
New Orleans
in the new gentrified
city
we used to call big easy
I might go all Villon
on their asses
one of these days
start naming names
call me illiterate
you over rated bitches and snitches
with your commissions
and citations
and decibal meters
(edited because I fucking felt like it. I am not sorry. Not one bit and I ain't gonna explain it)