Homeless and panhandlers invading the city?

[aseattleareanative]

I think it's been like that for a long time, I work in Kirkland and saw six panhandlers on a four corner intersection this morning.

[eskercurve]

It's because all the cities around Seattle provide free one-way bus fare to Seattle

"Oh no! A dirty dressed person in BELLEVUE!!?!????!!1111!~~~~!1! Not on MY WATCH!" *ships poor homeless person to Seattle*

Freaking Eastside NIMBYs ...

[rainforest338]

Many panhandlers are not homeless. There are quite a few (even newspaper articles on them) that bring in more money than most of the people giving them money! One article was about a husband and wife team and they would get all dressed up in tattered clothing and go set up at 'their corner' (can be very territorial), and have her sit in a wheelchair...and she was physically fine. That couple was grossing over $80k/year.
Just a quick example:
Suppose a panhandler was to get $5 per light cycle at an intersection. The light cycle could be every minute (stopping traffic in alternating directions--1 minute north/south stopped, 1 minute east/west stopped--a corner panhandler can work each direction of flow). So over 1 hour (60 minutes) could be $300/hr. For 8 hours a day--$2,400/day. Assume 50 weeks, for 5 days a week, (250 days)--$600,000/year. Maybe $5 was too high an assumption---assume $0.50 avg per light cycle, that yields $60,000/year...and if two people (hubby and wife) then $120K.

I know there really are some folks down on their luck and it is hard to know which are which. There were even tips on how to work it--use a pet (puppy), women do better, and where they target. Places that seem to be more liberal (Seattle) give charity more on an individual basis, where conservative areas people give more to churches and the churches dole out the charity.

[southking500]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

It's because all the cities around Seattle provide free one-way bus fare to Seattle

"Oh no! A dirty dressed person in BELLEVUE!!?!????!!1111!~~~~!1! Not on MY WATCH!" *ships poor homeless person to Seattle*

Freaking Eastside NIMBYs ...

False.
There is actually a large amount of homeless and panhandlers in the suburbs, I see them every day at busy corners with cardboard signs - even in Bellevue.

[randevan]

We have them in Woodinville too. One guy dresses like a construction worker, complete with hardhat and red suspenders.

[Beenhere4ever]

Any "veterans"? The Twin Cities is quite overrun with "veterans". Sometimes I try to visualize them hoisting a gun.

[Vinylly]

Originally Posted by Seattle2012

Last few years downtown and belltown have really gone under and I feel number of homeless people has at least tripled. Now I am even seeing people around Seattle Center, not to mention panhandlers on every freeway exit, going on freeway, or sometimes even at some intersections with lots of traffic. What is going on? I know economy is in sewer but I have been in states where economy hit even harder, were illegal immigrants flooded the market working for 5$ and hour, and still there was not this much beggars and weirdos around. Last week somebody out of the blue started yelling at me. It is not my fault you got where you are...I know this is still far cry from NYC but still.

Whether you know it or not, Seattle is the most homeless friendly state in the Union. Bums and panhanders, and hobos have a great-vine throughout the nation and even into Mexico. Seattle is the place to go for a free handout. The mayor, city council, and the city supports them as they are one of them, and consider them the ideal citizens for the future. 'Come to Seattle, this is your paradise'. I know, I talk with these people as I have volenteered at church shelters, I hear what they are saying.:cool :

[Beenhere4ever]

Must be lots of infrastructure providing shelter from the incessant rainstorms. And I guess those who have jobs are a bit wealthier than some other places.

[RunTheDistance476]

I can't stand being on the waterfront in Seattle. I've only been two Seattle twice for a week each visit but my god. I just got back yesterday and its utterly disgusting. Plus, there are the ones (spoken of above) who just harass you and I saw a family sitting down at the waterfront eating and a crazy guy walked up and started yelling at them. Then he say down at their table and started yelling at the cruise ship coming in"hey! What the f••• are you doing?!" it is just awful. Though when I was there in may...there were about half as many id say. But they have to do something about it. Its pretty pathetic when we have crazy people yelling, stalking, and harassing people trying to enjoy the waterfront.

I knew Seattle had ita issues but my opinion has changed of it drastically since what I expected going in the first time a month ago and going back yesterday.

I don't mind the ones who just sit there but yelling at a people and kids should be grounds for arrest or something. Ship them to la, its always sunny there.

Sad.