More hustlers in the loop than normal? (Springfield: live in, shop)

[At1WithNature]

i was on my way to the lasalle st. station to pick up a train schedule when i was stopped 3 times between Randolph St. and the train station. i'm not talking about homeless people, at least they didn't look or sound like it. they were decently dressed men, probably mid 30's.

one said he has one arm, appeared to but could have had it tucked in his coat, and he was on his way to a job interview and needed $3.15 for something...i said "can't help you brother" and proceeded to cross the street in a hurry as it was a yellow light with the don't walk hand flashing. just made it.

then when i got to the station another man approached me, less impressively dressed and he asked if I could help him. in one hand he had a train schedule and in the other he was holding his wallet with cash sticking out of it so i concluded in a split second that he didn't need money. i was wrong. he said he was on his way to his mother's funeral and needed $10. all he had was $4. i said, can't help ya! i did detect a hint of marijuana coming from his breath.

then on my way back, i walked by the macy's christmas windows because i still had time to kill on my break. i was approached by a decent dressed fellow with about a 3 year old walking hand and hand. he's like, "sir can you help us get something to eat. we're hungry." I just had to ignore this guy because i've seen him before and i'm used to his hustle.

now i am sure all 3 had decent hustles and they probably work. i am just wondering if anyone else has come across and increased amount of hustlers as the holiday nears or is it that I just look like a vick?! i was upbeat and in a good mood and maybe that is why i was targeted 3 times by 3 different hustlers in the span of about a half hour which i thought was very rare. maybe it is the economy...

[Lookout Kid]

I have always seen a lot of hustlers in the Loop. I haven't noticed any increase. In fact, a lot of the old guys from four or five years ago are now gone! I used to see the same lineup of characters every day on my old commute/lunch hour. And there were pickpockets who were known to target the area around the Art Institute that once followed me in to my office lobby.

[GoCUBS1]

I was also thinking there were more hustlers. I guess a combination of bad economy, cold weather, upcoming holidays, etc. This weekend my family and I were approached alot more than usual. At Ogilvie station we were approached quite a few times including a man and young girl (6 y.o.?) asking for food $. Not sure if we just look like a good "mark" as we were carrying shopping bags. A few people just asked us for directions to the nearest shelter/soup kitchen which I did not know but will find out. Another time a security guard actually intervened and shooed them away from us.

This was somewhat of a learning experience for my young kids as I tried to explain how to identify/protect yourself from pickpockets and why we give $ to charities rather than directly to people who may or may not be legit.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

i was upbeat and in a good mood and maybe that is why i was targeted 3 times by 3 different hustlers in the span of about a half hour which i thought was very rare.

We were also upbeat and in a good mood (laughing and I think the kids were actually skipping). Do you think that's it? Maybe I need to teach my family how to look/act more stoic.

[At1WithNature]

it could be...maybe if you walk around with a chip on your shoulder, they don't approach you.

[ARFeno1]

I'm glad someone else has noticed this crap...I live in Lakeview and have seen, this past week, more hustlers/homeless people out than usual. Was actually woken up by one yelling this morning. So, I'm not sure what it is, but you would think with the cold weather they would be more scarce and also realize that people are going to be less apt to help them with the economy the way it is (sorry, I know everyone is tired of hearing about the economy!)

What gives.

[Costa Rica Chica]

I haven't noticed.

[cubssoxfan]

More hustlers in the loop than normal?

Aw man, I thought this was another Blago thread

[Lookout Kid]

That would be, "More hustlers in Springfield than normal"?

[long101]

I work by union station and I always notice that when I bring a backpack to work much more people come up to me probaly thinking Im not from around there. I havent noticed anymore but I always have my ipod on and dont listen to anyone