Donations/Panhandling (Houston, El Paso: home, buying, dangerous)

[rntmay]

I'm wondering if the people on the corners in the streets asking for donations for their churches, charities, etc are legit.

Do they ask for permission so they dont get fined? What are the laws for the different groups out there asking for donations?

[Gary Siete]

AFAIK there are no panhandling/vendor restrictions in El Paso - at least they are not enforced. I see fake and legit charities, vendors, newspaper sellers, and panhandlers. I doubt that the west side guy with the weird white hat, indiscernible religious writings, and donation bucket is a registered charity.

I am concerned about the youth groups and kid's sports teams that stand in medians at busy intersections and run up to cars for donations or to sell apples/water/whatever. Kids shouldn't be put in such a dangerous situation. The car always wins.

[LEVOW]

I had read somewhere that el paso is the #1 destiny for panhandlers all across the us, they make her more money than anywhere else.

[ZSP]

Originally Posted by LEVOW

I had read somewhere that el paso is the #1 destiny for panhandlers all across the us, they make her more money than anywhere else.

I don't find this surprising...the weather allows this kind of activity to go on year round.

I do find it surprising that a huge city like Houston can and does enforce their "no panhandling" laws - why can't El Paso?

[mistabinks]

Originally Posted by LEVOW

I had read somewhere that el paso is the #1 destiny for panhandlers all across the us, they make her more money than anywhere else.

LOL but everyone here states that people always make less in El Paso than anywhere else

[br7or13]

I always try to use my sixth sense and make a determination as to whether my money is going towards booze or food. Always a tough call, but it can never hurt helping a brother out.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Originally Posted by LEVOW

I had read somewhere that el paso is the #1 destiny for panhandlers all across the us, they make her more money than anywhere else.

Any major city will claim that title. It's amazing, if you total up all the panhandlers in Houston. I wonder if anyone has ever done a study. We've seen the undercover reports of people that go home after they beg. Yes, HOME! Sick. There are some legitmate people there, but unfortunately you have to converse with them more to know if they are legit, or not. Most people only get a few seconds, or a minute at the most at an intersection.

[lipbalm]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

Any major city will claim that title. It's amazing, if you total up all the panhandlers in Houston. I wonder if anyone has ever done a study. We've seen the undercover reports of people that go home after they beg. Yes, HOME! Sick. There are some legitmate people there, but unfortunately you have to converse with them more to know if they are legit, or not. Most people only get a few seconds, or a minute at the most at an intersection.

There are alot of scam artist as well. I recall one particular fella that said his car broke down and he was on his way to the Hospital to see his wife give birth bla bla bla bla bla. Two weeks later I kid you not the same guy with the same sorry story. I gave him money the first time, the second time I told him to get the F**K out of my face.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Originally Posted by lipbalm

There are alot of scam artist as well. I recall one particular fella that said his car broke down and he was on his way to the Hospital to see his wife give birth bla bla bla bla bla. Two weeks later I kid you not the same guy with the same sorry story. I gave him money the first time, the second time I told him to get the F**K out of my face.

I was waiting for my wife who was buying shoes at a strip shopping center store, and I went to fill up. This guy comes up to me, pointing to his car with the hood up, and a gas can in his hand, asking for either gas, or money. I said no, I was in a hurry.

So I go back to wait for my wife, parked so I can see across the street, and this guy is hitting everyone up with the same lame story. I don't know what happened, but all of the sudden, he hurries to his car, closes the hood, tosses the gas can in the back of his car (I guess it was empty ), and he speeds off! 'Looked like he had plenty of gasoline in his car.

[southernbliss]

I have notice there are lots of panhandlers here...I have never been to a city this small, with this many people begging on the conner.
then u will hear on the news that one of them got hit by a car..sad but I can see that sometimes they just pop up out of nowhere.
I think El Paso could enforce there laws if they wanted to.

I have come to like a lot of areas in el paso.....but do not think people from here see it the way a newcomer does....it just looks gross

Every city city has some kind of homeless,pandhandlers, are what ever u would like to call them but most citys will try in hide are control the issue...I have never seen a police officer stop a panhandler here, I have been here going on 2 years and not once have seen it.

Maybe one day the people of El Paso will get sick of it and make the city leaders do something(I will be long gone then)till then just say ....no thank you, I gave at the other red light.