This is why I avoid panhandlers and many of the "homeless" in Chicago (coupons, apartment)

[Avengerfire]

Woman beaten on her birthday by homeless panhandlers:

Woman In Coma After Alleged Beating By Homeless Couple - News Story - WMAQ | Chicago
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1129251,loopattack082708.article (broken link)


People have scoffed at my warnings against interacting with panhandlers in the city. Now one must see my logic.

[nessatar]

I avoid them also. And would not tell one to "go get a job." Considering the odds of mental illness in the homeless population, it is not wise to enrage them. But I'm small and wimpy so maybe it's just me.

[outtachicago]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Woman beaten on her birthday by homeless panhandlers:

MyFox Chicago | Homeless Couple Charged With Beating a Woman And Her Boyfriend (http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7300317&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1 - broken link)
Woman In Coma After Alleged Beating By Homeless Couple - News Story - WMAQ | Chicago
cbs2chicago.com - Homeless Couple Charged With Beating Woman (http://cbs2chicago.com/local/homeless.couple.beating.2.804132.html - broken link)
http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1129251,loopatt (http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1129251,loopattack082708.article - broken link)
ack082708.article (http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1129251,loopattack082708.article - broken link)


People have scoffed at my warnings against interacting with panhandlers in the city. Now one must see my logic.

Why post four articles that basically say the same thing? Just wonderin'...

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by nessatar

I avoid them also. And would not tell one to "go get a job." Considering the odds of mental illness in the homeless population, it is not wise to enrage them. But I'm small and wimpy so maybe it's just me.

Yeah, I never make rude comments either. I do not condone what these two did at all, but saying something like "get a job" is not a way to get on a homeless persons (and more often than not a mentally ill persons) "bright side."

Many of these panhandlers are carrying shanks. I do not walk around the city most of the time with a weapon.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by outtachicago

Why post four articles that basically say the same thing? Just wonderin'...

Because I wanted to. Some have mug shots and some do not. For your judgement I will streamline my links.

[Avengerfire]

[mod cut]

And she was with a man that did nothing to stop the beating as far as we know. In fact he probably was the one that said "get a job."

[jdiddy]

I've long followed the rule that unless you've got a saxophone, I don't have any susan b anthonys.

[eevee]

since I rarely step outside my apartment w/o my headphones and ipod, I just pretend I don't hear them and just ignore them. I know some people say that this makes the homeless feel less than human and that you should at least say "sorry, can't help", but I've found that this can open up a line of discussion I'd rather not deal w/.

one time, back in my less cynical days, I bought a homeless person panhandling outside a BK a Whopper meal (had one of those coupons). next day after work, the guy recognized me and harassed me for more food and cash. by harass I mean yell out at me and follow me all the way to the train station. definitely shook me up and I haven't been that nice since (also had to change my after work walking route and use another train stop).

I've encountered some pretty aggressive panhandlers (I hate the ones that open the door to stores for you, yet hold out their hand as you exit, effectively almost blocking your way or making it so you have to brush up very close to them), but not in Chicago, so I'm knocking on wood and hoping something like this doesn't happen to me

[stan4]

Wow. When I bought this homeless dude some food and bottled water, he got mad b/c it wasn't cash.

A friend of mine was beaten up by two homeless dudes b/c he didn't have any change to give them.

[Ron.]

I agree 100%. Folks think "going to get a job" is the answer. It's far from the answer. You never know what's in a persons background that is preventing them from working. It could be anything.

Also, it's not like it's a common situation where homeless are just taking over and running the streets. If anything I would avoid" so called "normal" people. They're the ones committing all of the crime not homeless/panhandlers....

Originally Posted by nessatar

I avoid them also. And would not tell one to "go get a job." Considering the odds of mental illness in the homeless population, it is not wise to enrage them. But I'm small and wimpy so maybe it's just me.