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I just wanted to discuss panhandling a little bit.
I'd like to start with a question: How is the panhandling in Atlanta these days? Lately I've noticed when I'm downtown for events, the panhandlers tend to sit quietly with cups and signs. But I've only been down there when there are big events, not when things are quieter and you are more likely to get approached with a sob story. Since I don't go to bars and clubs anymore, I haven't been to midtown on a normal night in some time, but I remember the panhandling there was extremely aggressive.
I also wanted to share a thought on panhandling. I always viewed it as a massive priority affecting the city and one of the biggest explanations for why parts of downtown like Underground struggle. That may be a little bit of an extreme opinion, but panhandling is generally the number 1 or 2 thing tourists complain about.
A lot of people are of the thought that you get used to it, walk with a purpose and don't make eye contact and all that stuff. Maybe I'm not like other people, I don't know, but even after 8 years of living in the city and going out every weekend and facing panhandlers, you know what? I NEVER got used to it. It always bothered me. Sometimes it made me sad, other times angry, even a few times it made me scared (you never really know what mentally unstable people are going to do). I had a few really bad experiences with panhandlers, and was threatened a few times, but I was never actually assaulted, so that's good.
Anyway, I haven't really seen panhandling discussed, so I was just wondering if the situation has improved, people don't care anymore, or what. Did closing the Pine St. shelter have a positive impact on curbing panhandling?
It's a problem because some panhandlers don't accept no for an answer. There was a time I chose to say yes because I had planned on going out for drinks and said you know what...you're going out for drinks, why not say yes this time. He asked for cash and I told him I didn't have any. I told him I'd use my card. He questioned me again and this is when I started to become really annoyed...he asked can't I use my card to get cash. I told him no and that I don't have to have a pin to use my card. I went to a gas station and stood at the door. Why is it he has this upset look on his face as if he wanted to go somewhere else to eat. Anyway, long story short, he was rude to the cashier and I said from that, never again. I can't believe a panhandler, a beggar, could be so ungrateful. I thought beggars can't be choosers but obviously some of the panhandlers here are very demanding and I would argue that if the person they are dealing with isn't firm or looks like a pushover, they could even be aggressive.
To answer your question, in my experience, it's bad. The guy that I just talked about wasn't exactly near to the shelter but it was pretty close as it was near the Publix on Piedmont and North Ave.
I work near the Capitol and the big change I've noticed is you don't have hordes of panhandlers anymore in and around the Capitol. They seem to have been shifted elsewhere/changed their tactics since the big crackdown on panhandling in this area. When I'm walking down the street near my job, they mostly seem to be walking trying to engage people in conversation instead of standing in one spot soliciting. I also don't see the same folks from day to day.
I usually keep a can of food in the car to hand out , no money .
This is brilliant. I used to work at QT during college. Most of those that asked for money came in a few minutes later and re-stocked on booze and cigs. Usually if you give them money they will just stay at that spot and won’t go away.
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