Panhandling - When is enough enough? (Houston, Katy: buy, luxury, living in)

[HookTheBrotherUp]

I read this article today and it sort of verified what I've been thinking of all these panhandlers lately. Even nicely dressed people asking for money for a charity cause me to be skeptical, unless they are clearly fire fighters, or just kids wanting to wash your car for donations. I mean, you can clearly see the kids washing cars, but who takes time to research to see if everthing is legit on those little pieces of paper, or cards they want to give you anyway?

But in the two decades I've been here in Houston/Katy, I have seen the numbers increase. You cannot go anywhere in Houston without seeing them, bar the exclusive communities. But even just outside those places, they are there, giving you "the eye", or copping an attitude when you say no, or ignore them. I wonder if Houston will ever do anything about it. It seems that Houston has become a paradise for these folk, or freshly released inmates.

I have compassion, but really, it is getting out of control to the point that some of these homeless get into fights because, believe it or not, the corners are spoken for and are someone's turf already.

[theSUBlime]

My boyfriend once told someone their purported charity didn't exist after looking it up on his phone in Boston. That was enough to shut them up. In any case, it's not a big deal, as you're free to walk away. Seriously, to me, it was much worse in Boston. There was one guy in particular who rode the train all day and changed his story all the time - always bawling his eyes out. One day he was HIV positive and was going to kill himself, the next day he had an interview with Macy's, or had gotten kicked out by his mom. Considering we're technically a larger city and driving is a viable option, I really think we're lucky. Not saying it's not a problem, but it could be worse.

[mtgmike]

I do wish something could be done, but its a no win situation for a politicians/law enforcement. If you really started busting these people, you'd be painted as an elitist, etc., not a "man of the people".

Im curious about how its become so acceptable that parents teach their children to go beg for money to fund a sports team trip, etc.???

Jeez, go clean out garages, wash cars, do something! I don't think they are teaching those kids a great lesson. Hey kids, you want to get money, go ask for it, instead of go EARN it.


Also, i saw some people at Jones and 290 for quite a while taking money for the victim's family of a drunk driver. Always wanted to help, but never looked up the name, and Im not giving without verifying.

[wclanton423]

I can't stand the ones that want to wash your windshield. They will literally wash it no matter what and then get pissed if you don't give them money. I've had to lay on my horn heavily before because I had just washed my car and the person was determined to wash my windows.

[War Beagle]

When approached by a beggar I like to yell very loudly "No, I will not buy your illegal drugs".

[4string]

I saw a guy stealing his windshield washing supplies from a gas station the other day.

[EasilyAmused]

Some of the more disturbed ones bang on you car hood and rage out.....fun stuff. :/

[Nick_tx]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Some of the more disturbed ones bang on you car hood and rage out.....fun stuff. :/

Then they can have the pleasure of seeing this.

[vwgto]

I guess that is a positive "check" for the planned communities/suburbs.

[testmo]

living in the city i never have a problem. every major city across the world that i have ever been in has a poverty/homeless/beggar issue. many cities have way more than what i feel i experience in houston. i never give money to people panhandling because you aren't helping them. non-profits do not want you giving them money on the street. this discourages them from actually going to centers where they can get more extensive help. also no charity puts it's clients on the street for spare change. you feel you have a problem with this tell your friends and neighbors to stop giving them money! i see people in their cars in front of me all the time giving cash. sometimes they are driving junk pieces of crap and likely aren't affluent, and sometimes they are in new luxury vehicles. the type of people i hear complain the most are also the ones that will give a woman spare change at the intersection.

ive never witnessed a bum fight for an intersection, never had anyone be aggressive with me, never had anyone pound on my car. i work with homeless people too so if i haven't run into it you likely never have either