Downtown Bangor Beggars (Union: apartment, home, buy)

[bp1971]

I recently moved to Bangor - got a beautiful apartment right downtown. Here's a question I'm hoping someone can help me with:

What's the story with all the panhandlers and beggars in downtown Bangor.

I lived in downtown Philadelphia for several years - and I'm not exaggerating at all when I say I've been approached for change or cigarettes more times in the three months I've lived in downtown Bangor than the whole time I lived in Philadelphia. Every time I step outside to have a smoke - or walk down to the corner pub - or walk from the parking garage to my apartment - without fail - someone will approach me for something. And - every one of these people appear to have all their mental faculties together and look very physically capable of working.

What's up with that?

Bangor has a beautiful little downtown area - but you can't even enjoy it because the minute you step outside (no exaggeration there either) you have somebody asking for change and stuff.

Has this always been a problem in Bangor?

[starwalker]

While I do not live in Bangor, I do shop there weekly and participate in the Artisan Market downtown on Thurs evenings.

Not sure what the difference is, but I have not only never been approached by a panhandler, I have never even seen anyone mooching -- though there were regulars on the street corners in other cities where I have lived. There are at least a couple of folks who seem to have a loose nut or two somewhere, who frequent the Pershing Square area (apparently... I have seen them during most of the market days) who talk/rant nonstop to anyone and no one. They seem harmless enough, though, and during market last week a police officer came and walked the talker elsewhere after a bit.

Maybe you just look more approachable than I do?

[reloop]

I have been approached some of the times I've been downtown for one reason or another over the years. While I'm sure there are many that seem capable of working, I know there are also many more that have mental health issues and get services through Northeast Occupational Exchange downtown, so perhaps this is part of it.

Nevertheless, I politely say "No" and keep moving unless they pursue me, in which case, I have no problem telling them in no uncertain terms "Get out of my face" - loudly. A few times doing that may garner you a reputation for not being approachable IMHO.

[7th generation]

every one of these people appear to have all their mental faculties together and look very physically capable of working.

With the economy shedding 600,000 jobs per month lately, it's not a wonder more people are asking for a hand-up. You would be better suited to pray for those less able, than to criticize them.

How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.

[fxtrader]

It could be that there is a homeless shelter on Maine St. However, I lived in Bangor for twenty years and my parents still live there and I still spend a lot of time there and I have never been approached. However I worked in Philly for 3 years and was approached several times.

[JC3]

Sounds like Bangor is no different than most larger cities. I can also cite other places where it is not uncommon to find panhandlers. Heck, with some it is a racket and good money can be had. I can show you articles of people panhandling at intersection lights, then being followed and seen getting into very expensive cars and driving off.

Some may have some mental issues, some may really be on the outs and some use it as scheme for easy money. Pick one. Bangor is just one more place it occurs for whatever the reason.

[reloop]

Originally Posted by 7th generation

With the economy shedding 600,000 jobs per month lately, it's not a wonder more people are asking for a hand-up. You would be better suited to pray for those less able, than to criticize them.

True, I would look at the situation individually, as a matter of fact, I recently gave a man begging for food in a Bangor grocery store parking lot enough money to go across the street and buy a hamburger meal (which I'm happy to say I watched him do) but I do have to say that if there is a core group that constantly asks for change/cigs/etc...and this poster is in the area daily (for example working) then he or she will have to establish that he's got empty pockets, or it will become more problematic as time goes by. That's just human nature. I just noticed that he lives down there, so I can see that situation may indeed become problematic IMHO.

[forest beekeeper]

I did see one guy about 2 weeks ago on the Union street Southbound off-ramp of I-95 with a cardboard sign begging for money.

He has been the only one I have seen, and I drive into Bangor 5 days a week. I only saw him once.

I do pickup hitchhikers on occasion, though I consider hitching a different category. One of our neighbors hitches as his primary method of getting to and from work.

I did know a gentleman who is/was a minister for a homeless shelter downtown [though I have not seen him for about a year now]. He told me that their shelter routinely sees a community of 20 to 30 people through the summers.

I think it is rather typical of a town the size of Bangor, to have some form of homeless community.

While I have not done so, my Dw has delivered food to the shelter.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

I have lived in Maine ever since I came home from Vietnam. I have seen some scruffy looking individuals around some homeless shelters, but I have never been approached by a panhandler or seen anyone approached. Maybe they just don't see me as approachable.

[reloop]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

I have lived in Maine ever since I came home from Vietnam. I have seen some scruffy looking individuals around some homeless shelters, but I have never been approached by a panhandler or seen anyone approached. Maybe they just don't see me as approachable.

More than likely that's the case. When I lived near the library, I used to enjoy "people watching" and I could always count on the same group of flashlights shining through the dumpsters when I came home from work after midnight; therefore, I kind of got to know the "regulars" that panhandled (albeit from a distance). I came to recognize the "type" that were more inclined to be asked (law enforcement officers aren't the only ones to "profile" ). I noticed that the ones that they tended to avoid were the ones who were acutely aware of their surroundings, walking straight and tall, and usually looked them directly in the eye while walking by. If, by chance one of those types were asked, they usually refused to give and were thereafter not asked again.