Panhandlers in Denver (buy, tax, living)

[Gorges]

When we were leaving the Western Stock Show a couple of weeks ago, they were everywhere, stopping cars on the side streets. They looked like meth users.

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by Gorges

When we were leaving the Western Stock Show a couple of weeks ago, they were everywhere, stopping cars on the side streets. They looked like meth users.

Because some of them were.

[JohnnyDenver]

Originally Posted by MarshallV84

Southern CA seemed the worst to me, by far.

Many of those have already moved here and just re-located their business operations to Denver.

I was in Denver General Sessions Court last week and one person was charged with trespassing for panhandling at I-25 and Hampden. I was talking with the attorney handling the case and he related that the city has now put up a "no trespassing" sign at that location.

[svarog]

I frequently have to correct people who refer to a panhandler as "homeless guy" or "homeless woman". You know that they're panhandling, but you don't know that they're homeless. I know of two panhandlers who have cultivated a grimy homeless-like look, but who actually live at the apartment complex at Monaco & Iliff (each in their own apartment).

When you see a panhandler on one corner and someone spinning a "Liberty Tax Services" sign on the other corner, you can be sure which of them is making more money.

[mollygee]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Denver is the only big city for 500 miles in any direction, that's bound to have some effect...not only is it a big magnet, it's the only magnet of its size in the region. We have them here in COLO SPGS too, mostly in the downtown area where services are available for them from the Marion House and other charities.

Live in the Springs area, last time a guy asked me for a dollar outside of a burger king; said he was hungry, had a cool bike and a toothpick hanging out of his mouth, thought that was lame. Since I had just thrown some change away on the lotto, gave him a dollar. He was eyeing my purse; was he going to grab my purse and peddle off?? Seemed that way.

Used to be a lady in downtown Denver that hung out by McDonalds, just off the 16th st mall (and Champa.) Rumors were she made a pretty good living, she was older, dressed plainly; but clean. Weird. Guess she laughed all the way to the bank.

Sorry to hear about the 16th st Mall; used to be a gem.

[AmFest]

Originally Posted by svarog

I frequently have to correct people who refer to a panhandler as "homeless guy" or "homeless woman". You know that they're panhandling, but you don't know that they're homeless. I know of two panhandlers who have cultivated a grimy homeless-like look, but who actually live at the apartment complex at Monaco & Iliff (each in their own apartment).

When you see a panhandler on one corner and someone spinning a "Liberty Tax Services" sign on the other corner, you can be sure which of them is making more money.

Good point. Beggars are definitely not guaranteed to be homeless. Homeless people are not necessarily beggars, either.

Originally Posted by mollygee

Sorry to hear about the 16th st Mall; used to be a gem.

Wonder if Denver has a way to ban inappropriately dressed and smelly people from the 16th St Mall.

[JWEvergreen]

I once saw a woman sitting outside a grocery store with a sign that said she was hungry and needed help. I walked past her and went in to do my shopping. On my way out, I offered her a bunch of bananas I had purchased for her. She refused, and would not accept them. She said that she needed money, not food. She totally ticked me off. I pointed out that her sign said she was hungry. I offered her good, healthy food and she turned it down. "Sorry lady... it takes money to buy food. Food given freely to you cost someone money". Figure it out.

[Metairie]

I was harassed my last visit to Denver. I made the mistake of smiling at a bum. He then goes on to tell me how beautiful I am blah blah and this long rehearsed story about needing money for a bus. I told him that I don't give money to grown men. He continues with his sob story. I finally snapped and cursed him out, I'm from New Orleans act like the meaner dog and they move on. It sucked though because he wans't he only one that bothered me while I was there. It's worse than most places I've been but luckily its mostly in the downtown area. So I stayed in Cherry Creek every time since.

[VileTat]

An increasing number of studies are finding that buying housing for homeless folks is cheaper on society than making them sleep in the streets and ultimately going to the emergency room etc. I bet few would have a problem with a law banning all panhandling if the city rented out some of the new tiny micro apartments for those truly in need.

Different city and situation but for an interesting perspective on the homeless, the movie Dark Days is quite interesting.

[AmFest]

Originally Posted by JWEvergreen

I once saw a woman sitting outside a grocery store with a sign that said she was hungry and needed help. I walked past her and went in to do my shopping. On my way out, I offered her a bunch of bananas I had purchased for her. She refused, and would not accept them. She said that she needed money, not food. She totally ticked me off. I pointed out that her sign said she was hungry. I offered her good, healthy food and she turned it down. "Sorry lady... it takes money to buy food. Food given freely to you cost someone money". Figure it out.

Can't argue with that

Giving food is totally what I would do as well, mostly to reveal the irony and hypocrisy of the beggar