Thoughts on all the Panhandlers (Ward: how much, living, homeless)

[KaaBoom]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

Proof that most panhandlers make $40-$60K please. That sounds made up.

It's true, just sit down on a bench sometime and watch a panhandler. It's not uncommon to see people whip out their wallets and hand them $5, $10, even $20 bills. If someone hands them one of those bills once every five minutes (thats probably a conservative figure), add it up. Probably $50 - $100 an hour x 8 - 10 hours a day, five or six days a week. Then there are all the people who give them their spare change. Which those guys hate. All those coins just weigh them down, and they have to take breaks to take all the coins to the bank and exchange it for paper money.

A good panhandeler could make a lot more then $60K a year, if they are so motivated.

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

A good panhandeler could make a lot more then $60K a year, if they are so motivated.

and that's before they take advantage of the public support/assistance network that is there for the taking. There are numerous other places to get assistance than just the gov't programs ...

I have a friend who is involved with homeless support programs in SLC. The LDS church has purchased several old downtown hotels ... some pretty nice properties, BTW ... and offer housing to all that claim they are homeless without qualification. In exchange, the assisted folk are requested to help with their labor in church projects ... a Bishop's storehouse, a dairy, or similar work while they are assisted in trying to locate permanent jobs. Of course, they are invited to attend church services, but assistance is not conditional upon doing so. My friend acknowledges that he wouldn't be surprised if half of those on the LDS assistance programs are receiving assistance from other public resources, and many don't really qualify for the programs at all. But the LDS mission is based upon folk coming to them and claiming they need the assistance, and they'd rather not get into a judgemental game of who is really needy or not ... it's more cost effective to simply help those who claim they need the assistance. Many of those assisted simply drift away when they get bored with the situation .... the "challenge" and excitement of getting the handout wears thin after awhile and they move on to other places to get as much free services/goods/shelter as they can in another place.

[dude_reino]

Its (still) a free country. No law can stop someone from asking of someone else. As long as they aren't threatening your or blocking your path, they are fine. I can't believe people who want to ban them, or even worse: fine people for GIVING money to them. Do not forsake our first amendment so easily

[MtnJam]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

Mental illness is likely the biggest problem.

Agreed, and which quite often leads to substance abuse.

[seethelight]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

That's why we never give a cent to these people. If we stop giving money to panhandlers then they'll go away.

I feel sorry for you.

[zenkonami]

Originally Posted by KaaBoom

It's true, just sit down on a bench sometime and watch a panhandler. It's not uncommon to see people whip out their wallets and hand them $5, $10, even $20 bills. If someone hands them one of those bills once every five minutes (thats probably a conservative figure), add it up. Probably $50 - $100 an hour x 8 - 10 hours a day, five or six days a week. Then there are all the people who give them their spare change. Which those guys hate. All those coins just weigh them down, and they have to take breaks to take all the coins to the bank and exchange it for paper money.

A good panhandeler could make a lot more then $60K a year, if they are so motivated.

When you put it like that it sounds like it's not a problem at all, as that means there are around 12 people an hour handing over cash to the homeless which is about 100 to 120 people a day...I'm not sure the food carts do that well along the mall. The homeless are providing a service that clearly people are willing to pay for.

...with all that pure green cash...that everyone walks around with nowadays...


Side note: Why aren't we complaining about Children's International, Greenpeace or the Krishnas in this thread? Or was that actually how this all started?

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by seethelight

I feel sorry for you.

Feel whatever you want; I'm not giving to people who are probably substance abusers. We've given over $3k to charity this year, so far, and I'll be damned if I'll give cash to street corner panhandlers with all the help that is available here from the Marion House, Salvation Army, and many other charities and churches.

[Teckeeee]

Having had the unfortunate experience of being around aggressive homeless people, they aren't aggressive in Denver. That said there are way to many of them esp around the parking lots by Weldon, I have seen them trying to break in cars, chased one off. The first year I watched some on the way home from Parade of Lights sleeping on cardboard over manhole covers surreal, really. If you are going to be homeless why not pick a warmer climate? Rhetorical question, if they had it together they wouldn't be homeless.

[sammy87]

I have more problem with the panhandlers in their 20's or 30's that look perfectly fit and able to work that stand on the street corner with their dog asking for money. There is some type of labor work they could find to make their situation better, yet they choose to not do anything and beg. I usually get the dog some food and water. The dog didn't make that choice.

[Teckeeee]

Wow that took me 30 seconds to find one Panhandler Shane Warren Speegle Says He Made $60,000 A Year Begging On Street

This guy actuallly checked it out himself pretty interesting. Far from 60k for him, but a lot more than Mickey D's
Do panhandlers make more than you do?