Why are there so many panhandlers in San Antonio? (Post: sales, insurance)

[GoTexan]

I will admit I give a couple dollars from time to time.

My view is that the person is probably looking for some cash so they can buy themselves a bottle or some beer.

I know I am not helping them or their situation but really, what will?

Many of these people will never have the ability to make rational decisions for reasons unknown to us. It is not my personal responsibilty to help each person. That is why I elect officials and pay my taxes.

I figure, here's 2 bucks, have a beer.

That's my two cents for what it's worth.

[GoTexan]

Please note before anyone blasts my comment, I stated I'll do this from time to time.

I rarely have cash to begin with!

Just being honest and thought I'd post the other side of the coin.

[SanAntoQT]

Originally Posted by annie_annie

A fool and his money are easily parted. <---that's why. Fleecing of the idiots that are stupid enough to give money to them.

The way I see it, if I feel in my heart the desire to give, I will because I know from where that desire comes. If that makes me a fool, stupid or an idiot, so be it.

[Steel Man]

I'm a sucker for giving money to those people who dress up as firemen and have a big rubber boot to collect money, even if they are not in my part of town.

[CreekKnoll]

El Paso has all Texas cities beat IMO. Just about every corner was occupied. When I did work there, I saw guys taking all the newspapers out of the stand with one quarter, then sell them on the street corner. I saw 2 guys fight for a corner. Then what really got me was as I was walking into a restaurant, this lady purposely popped her boob out and started feeding her baby, then asked me for money. Awkward!

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[jettblack]

I work near the airport. I have seen the same people "working the corner".

I feel bad when I look the other way but they are counting on our concious to give them a handout. If you think about it, if there is say 20 cars at a busy light. They get a total of 5 bucks, they made that in less than 5 minutes. Times that by 8 hours a day. Not bad.

The other side of this I had just gone to a Burger King off of 410 and Evers and a guy was at the light holding a sign. I rolled my window down and asked if he was hungry, and without a hesitation he said yes and scarfed down a burger and fries that I gave him. That is worth to me than just handing out money.

[Turtle_Mom]

My mom used to give food rather than money. In California as a teen, they'd hang out by the grocery store's with "Will work for food" signs - seriously, they really did. She would just pull out some groceries we had just bought and give it to them.

A few years back, my hubby and I were in a mall in LA near downtown and heard this long story from some guy who said he was a displaced Katrina victim, but got divided from his family, they were in San Diego. He needed $10 for the bus ticket, wanted to show us his displacement papers from Katrina, wanted our address to pay us back etc. We just gave him a $20 and figured if he was a con artist, then so be it.

But generally I won't just hand out money to people on the street. Even though the pregnant girl, or the ones with kids do wrench at my heart - I know that many of them are using that for their gain. Recently my hubby told me about a guy who was picked up panhandling and he had $3000 on him.

[majormadmax]

Despite how you feel, or if they are really hungry, it is illegal to panhandle in this city and you are contributing to the problem if you give them anything. There are many social services that are available to truly homeless individuals and if you really want to do them a favor, call the authorities when you see them panhandling and let them take care of the situation. That will also separate the fakers from those who really need help.

By giving them anything, money or even food, you are contributing to a crime. Yes, a crime. In the other thread on panhandling I posted the city ordinance against soliciting, so there is no excuse to encourage these individuals to break the law.

Cheers! M2

[urbsan]

stop complaining!!! heaven forbid you should see someone who isnt a white collar executive inside the pearly gates of stone oak! this is called life we live in a world with other people if you see them that doesn't mean you have to give money just drive on!
and if you wanna give money then beware because i have heard of people getting arrested and tried for committing such a crime like giving a dollar to a homeless human being!

[jettblack]

Originally Posted by majormadmax

Despite how you feel, or if they are really hungry, it is illegal to panhandle in this city and you are contributing to the problem if you give them anything. There are many social services that are available to truly homeless individuals and if you really want to do them a favor, call the authorities when you see them panhandling and let them take care of the situation. That will also separate the fakers from those who really need help.

By giving them anything, money or even food, you are contributing to a crime. Yes, a crime. In the other thread on panhandling I posted the city ordinance against soliciting, so there is no excuse to encourage these individuals to break the law.

Cheers! M2

Are you sure panhandling is illegal? If so it is definately not being inforced. I see cops all the time drive right by them.