Why are there so many panhandlers in San Antonio? (Houston: living, shop)

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by the_dimwit

Wow, Diggin. That's pretty crazy. There are some people out there who would have retaliated in a bad way, justified by claims of self-defense and protection of family.

--Dim

That would have been me . I don't think there is any way in he|| I could have just drove off .

[scuba steve]

Yeah, that wouldn't have ended well if I were driving. Someone tried to take my car while I was in it, stopped at a stoplight a while back so I'm a little more jumpy now. What she needs is somebody to pepper spray or taze her freeloading ass for pulling a stunt like that.

[lovinSA]

Glad to see I am not totally off thinking that this new version of 'streetwalking is illeagal'! I really got a kick out of the ones last weekend, saw in your face fundraising... it was not the first time. Even saw a suspicous of a group who appeared to be running a version of the firefighters stuff a boot. DH and I were wondering if maybe (don't shoot me) a permit fee would be in order. It might actually detract a few, all I can see is it getting worse before it is better. Hopefully no one gets injured before action is taken to get them off the street.




disclaimer: may not make sense due to raging sinus issues

[SA Greed]

Hey Scuba, can you give some details on what happened to you? I have always feared that happening to me since I bought my 22"s.

[Paka]

Originally Posted by lovinSA

Glad to see I am not totally off thinking that this new version of 'streetwalking is illeagal'! I really got a kick out of the ones last weekend, saw in your face fundraising... it was not the first time. Even saw a suspicous of a group who appeared to be running a version of the firefighters stuff a boot. DH and I were wondering if maybe (don't shoot me) a permit fee would be in order. It might actually detract a few, all I can see is it getting worse before it is better. Hopefully no one gets injured before action is taken to get them off the street.




disclaimer: may not make sense due to raging sinus issues

Sure hope you are feeling better soon...did one of those this spring myself and it was MURDER (the sinus infection)!

[gwrober]

DHV, wow. I think I'm with the rest of the group here, that would not have ended well. But, people are getting braver everyday for some reason...

[Camper1]

scary. My daughter has been driving for less than a year. I tell her not to make eye contact at the lights and keep your doors locked and windows up. Some intersections, even close the sun roof. You can't afford to be to careful these days.

[DigginHouseVibez]

Well I didn't have a soda to throw either time and one time my daughter was in the car so the "common sense" portion of my brain superceded and I decided to stay calm, calling sapd vs. rolling down the window and chucking a cd case at her or something. It was a tough decision though! The second time the light changed really fast and if you haven't been at the Ingram light just before turning onto 410 you don't know that it's far more dangerous NOT to go when the light changes than it is to pick a fight with an uppity panhandler!
Either way I'm glad I kept my cool. . . you never know what a person is capable of. . . and that's with regards to both she AND myself. I might have a quick temper but I've learned to keep it in check and I've NEVER been in a fight thanks to quick verbal skills so if I can pull that off for another 30 years or so I think that'll be a much bigger feat than beating up a panhandler would have been (even if I do wish I had on occasion).

[Desdicata]

The intersection of 1604 and Bandera (all 4 corners) are rich feeding grounds for the "homeless", beggars, karate, CYO football teams, Softball teams... just about any team needing cash to go to "nationals", as well as the human billboards and of course the legitimate Express-News paper salesmen. Its a hoot on the weekends seeing how competetive ALL of these hawkers are about grabbing your dollars.
Since I go through that intersection at least 8 times a day, I already know most of the full time beggars that are here "for the season" as they are out every evening pickin' up the change. It is a scam of the highest order as most of them park thier car at the Whataburger and pull out the old familiar folded cardboard sign claiming to be a disabled veteran.
A few of the REAL vagrants in town live in the storm drain under the driveway that is the entrance to the strip mall that houses the blockbuster, Gold's Gym.
Why they would choose to be in hot San Antonio in summer time is a wonder to me.

[carlitasway]

I saw two guys with rubber boots claiming to be from the fire department in Lytle. I didn't see a fire truck or anything around and it was only two guys. I didn't give them anything. Usually if it's the fire department really doing it they have more than two guys and a fire truck nearby to see.