Panhandling in Downtown FLL (Miami, Fort Lauderdale: to buy, live, groceries)

[fernweh]

Let me vent for a moment.

Is panhandling something that is common in most large cities? I moved from Weston a month ago, so downtown is still new for me. I’ve lived here for a couple years and I’m used to people begging for help at intersections. However, I lost my cool tonight.

I went to a Walmart in downtown FLL and I was approached by a man in an extremely uncomfortable way. I was minding my own business when out of nowhere comes this guy who gives me a huge hug and proceeds to kiss both of my hands. He then asked if I could buy him an item or two because he “just moved down to Florida and most of his items were still in transit.” I told him no, that I wasn’t going to buy him anything and questioned why he wasn’t asking other customers for help. He then got ticked off, said I wasn’t a good person/Christian, and walked away. I ended up telling management so they could follow him through the store.

When I bought my groceries and walked out to my car, ANOTHER person came up to me and asked for money. At that moment, I pretty much snapped at the man. Two men sitting in a truck next to my vehicle told me to be cautious, said I didn’t do anything wrong, and panhandling is a common thing.

With the way the world is today and how psychotic people can get, it’s scary to think what can happen if you tell someone no.

One thing I did learn is that I will never go back to that Walmart.

[ruski]

I moved from Weston to Fort Lauderdale, near downtown - Flagler Village area, a couple of years ago. While the area is really very nice, the homeless are becoming an eye sore, and it seems that their numbers have increased over the last couple of years. They always ask for a dollar because they just need one more dollar to buy a bus ticket to "get outta here". And sometimes they are borderline harassing people with their begging.

I now live on the beach and jog to Las Olas Blvd in the evening, and there are a bunch of homeless there too, asking people to give them their left over bags, and some are quite harassing too.

And they stink.

I hope the city figures out what to do with them, since the city is trying to elevate its image.

[bullandre]

It's really bad especially by the library.

[LifeIsGood01]

Originally Posted by fernweh

Let me vent for a moment.

Is panhandling something that is common in most large cities? I moved from Weston a month ago, so downtown is still new for me. I’ve lived here for a couple years and I’m used to people begging for help at intersections. However, I lost my cool tonight.

I went to a Walmart in downtown FLL and I was approached by a man in an extremely uncomfortable way. I was minding my own business when out of nowhere comes this guy who gives me a huge hug and proceeds to kiss both of my hands. He then asked if I could buy him an item or two because he “just moved down to Florida and most of his items were still in transit.” I told him no, that I wasn’t going to buy him anything and questioned why he wasn’t asking other customers for help. He then got ticked off, said I wasn’t a good person/Christian, and walked away. I ended up telling management so they could follow him through the store.

When I bought my groceries and walked out to my car, ANOTHER person came up to me and asked for money. At that moment, I pretty much snapped at the man. Two men sitting in a truck next to my vehicle told me to be cautious, said I didn’t do anything wrong, and panhandling is a common thing.

With the way the world is today and how psychotic people can get, it’s scary to think what can happen if you tell someone no.

One thing I did learn is that I will never go back to that Walmart.

If someone gives me a sob story and ask for money I tell them I broke too, I don't have a fancy car to walk to so it would be different but you can still be broke with a nice car.

and be careful, just don't respond or say sorry I don't carry cash or I can't buy you anything. Some people are psychotic so they would kill you if they think you are being mean or rude to them.

If I see someone ask for money as I go in a store I tell the manager to tell the to leave, a lot of times they know better and ask you when you are leaving.

When I lived in that area there were some that carried sings at the offramps of 1 95.

[fernweh]

Does Miami have the same problem? Do the police even care about this issue?

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by fernweh

Does Miami have the same problem? Do the police even care about this issue?

It worst in San Francisco

[bullandre]

Originally Posted by fernweh

Does Miami have the same problem? Do the police even care about this issue?

I think it is a 2nd amendment issue, so the police hands are tied.

[elchevere]

Awful and out of control in downtown San Diego, and the city is using taxpayer money to build them places to stay. A citywide hepatitis A epidemic finally got the politicians' attention to this problem.

Very few in Miami—specifically, Brickell. Might run into 1-2 a day and there are “no panhandling” signs posted. Worse as you cross the bridge into downtown but not California bad.

[blueherons]

That Walmart is in a horrible location.

The homeless are mostly by the park by the bus station.

I know the homeless by name on Las Olas and give them food and money.

[fernweh]

Originally Posted by blueherons

That Walmart is in a horrible location.

The homeless are mostly by the park by the bus station.

I know the homeless by name on Las Olas and give them food and money.

I don’t think I have ever been to a more sketchy Walmart than that one. I’m all for charity, but don’t you dare get in my personal space and kiss me. I was so disgusted.

I have come across some homeless people while shopping at stores along SE 17th. I offer them food, and you can see how appreciative they are. It’s sad to see so many. I always wonder who are the ones that are truly homeless, and not those who are acting. I may be ignorant, but aren’t there rescources to help them stay off the streets?