Panhandling and harassment downtown (Atlanta: home, peachtree, park)

[onemanarmy]

Originally Posted by midtown mile girl

That may work because you are male, but with more people living intown, and more of them young women it is something that needs to be addressed.

The more people that move in town, the less likely people will be bothered by homeless people. I do not doubt your sincerity, but I do question the authenticity of being unlawfully harassed. In the case of being physically touched in a threatening way, by all means lock these people up. However, if you live in Midtown, does a drunk male asking you to dance repeatedly constitute harassment, or is it something your just feel is normal when going out? How is one not more threatening, given they are under the influence of alcohol.

[RoslynHolcomb]

Originally Posted by midtown mile girl

That may work because you are male, but with more people living intown, and more of them young women it is something that needs to be addressed.

Precisely. It definitely doesn't work for me a middle aged woman with a baby in a stroller. I don't think I'm superior to anyone, however when you grab my stroller, all bets are off. This isn't a matter of sympathy or compassion. It's an issue of common sense and safety. Women are targeted. Women control the checkbooks in most families. If women can't/won't go downtown for fear of their safety downtown will not survive.

[RoslynHolcomb]

Originally Posted by onemanarmy

The more people that move in town, the less likely people will be bothered by homeless people. I do not doubt your sincerity, but I do question the authenticity of being unlawfully harassed. In the case of being physically touched in a threatening way, by all means lock these people up. However, if you live in Midtown, does a drunk male asking you to dance repeatedly constitute harassment, or is it something your just feel is normal when going out? How is one not more threatening, given they are under the influence of alcohol.

Does the drunk male go away when you say no, or does he follow you down the street? Not sure what's so hard to understand. These people will not leave you alone. I had it again today. That crap gets old, especially when you have a baby with you.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by onemanarmy

However, if you live in Midtown, does a drunk male asking you to dance repeatedly constitute harassment, or is it something your just feel is normal when going out? How is one not more threatening, given they are under the influence of alcohol.

If some drunk guy in Midtown asks me to dance, I would probably just say no. However, if he keeps bugging me, I would definitely consider it threatening and harassment. No means no, buddy, so I would suggest you back severely off unless you are looking for a taste of this walking stick.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by arjay57

What is the solution exactly?

Provide them with housing, food, maybe craft/trade training depending on aptitude, and some incentive to do well. Time-limited. Maybe use them to perform menial tasks from time to time to earn the above benefits (road crews, helping farmers who currently have a shortage of immigrant workers, etc.).

Those who aren't interested and who are mentally/physically sound get deported and can start a new life on some other country's dime. Hey, it's their choice.

Edit after finishing thread:

I was obviously equating the legitimately homeless with those who choose to panhandle aggressively as a career choice.

Revised solution:

Make it illegal, and thrown them in jail for some meaningful time if they are multiple offenders. I'd rather see someone like that serving time than many of the folks who actually *do* get put away for years...

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by JoeTarheel

Giuliani got a ton of backlash for his policies on the homeless...so that is not a good idea for any politician.

Court Rejects Giuliani Homeless Policy
Giuliani Meets Clergy to Explain Homeless Policy and Is Asked to Add Housing - NYTimes.com
1,000 in Park Denounce Giuliani on Homeless Arrest Policy - NYTimes.com
Rosie Raps Giuliani On Homeless Policy Sez He's 'Out Of Control' - New York Daily News
GIULIANI DEFENDS HOMELESS POLICY.(CAPITAL REGION) - Albany Times Union (Albany, NY) | HighBeam Research
Thompson On Bloomberg's Homeless Policies: 'Worse' Than Giuliani | New York Daily News

People don't really want the homeless around them, but they don't want them to be mistreated either. They are human beings after all.

It got the problem solved. Homeless either need to make an effort and take advantage of the resources the cities have or they need to be locked up for harassment.

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by JPD

If people start pepper spraying panhandlers just because they ask for money, I hope the panhandlers retaliate in kind.

What if it's your wife, or your GF or , mother, or, aunt , or daughter who is harrassed by some beggar and won't be left alone?

[Onthemove2014]

Originally Posted by JPD

Perhaps. So make the first move, tough guy.

Nothing tough about a man using pepper spray. If panhandler is aggressively bothering your female companion or relative then you deck them.

[JoeTarheel]

Originally Posted by midtown mile girl

That may work because you are male, but with more people living intown, and more of them young women it is something that needs to be addressed.

True...

[JoeTarheel]

Originally Posted by Onthemove2014

It got the problem solved. Homeless either need to make an effort and take advantage of the resources the cities have or they need to be locked up for harassment.

Do you mean to tell me that NYC's homeless problem is solved??? Really???

I don't think so.