Panhandlers in Midtown (Houston, West: buying, college, pharmacy)

[Oildog]

Boy these bums **** me off. You cant go to any retail merchant without some dude following you and/or asking you for some change etc. Its not just one place. Gas station, Pharmacy, wing place, bank, etc. I'm sick of them. We should be able to taser them.

I ran my errands and was asked at each place for some $$$.

[HoustonRonnie]

There's a guy on SMith that comes up, cries about his wife and kid and not having money for a room. He says the same thing every time. Pisses me off.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by HoustonRonnie

There's a guy on SMith that comes up, cries about his wife and kid and not having money for a room. He says the same thing every time. Pisses me off.

Have you met the one who always cries about not having enough gas money to get to the hospital to see his baby??? I told him "Dude your wife has been in labor for like a year now". lol

[natefg2]

They are all over not just midtown. They are a problem no matter the area. I don't know why people give them money other than they are ignorant, naive, just stupid, or a combination of all three. These people sitting around at intersections aren't just folks hitting hard times. Most are substance abusers who use fools for money to feed their habits. Some are mentally ill and in my opinion a threat to themselves and others I think they should be institutionalized but I don't have all the answers on that aspect. Then there are the scum just ducking the law. Don't give to these people. Easier said than done. I'm getting tired of people walking up to me in traffic bugging me for money. Everybody needs help sometimes and I understand that. There are places one can go for help getting back on their feet and these folks aren't the people trying to get back on their feet as I first mentioned. Sorry for the rant but this thread got me going. I don't mean to sound like a snob or insensitive because I'm really not but the city needs to address the problem. I hate going to too see astro's games because I'm getting smothered by homeless and the fresh out of county jail asking for money while you are with your family.

[peacheskitty]

I moved out of Midtown to, well, not so far from Midtown (Montrose) but phew am I glad I don't have to see bums around everywhere. We used to live right next to bum central (the greyhound station).

But still everytime I go pick up stuff from Randall's there is at least 90% chance someone will come out of nowhere asking for money.

[cle_hou]

Yeah it really is out of control. It is definitely not just Midtown. On Westheimer today almost all of the major intersections had them on all 4 sides of it! I also see people riding their bikes on these medians

[chris_ut]

If we could hunt and kill the homeless for sport it would both clean up the city and give Houston a much needed tourist attraction.

[testmo]

i think chris_ut says that in jest. statistically the average homeless person is a young woman or child.

another commenter actually had it right. whoever the person or whatever the story is it is best not to give them money. there are places, even in Houston, where they can go to get real services that will actually help them. by giving spare change on the side of the street you put the person in danger, don't actually help them yourself, and keep them away from actually utilizing services.

reminds me of a story a guy I knew in college told me (he was a total idiot). we were going at it because he appeared to be callous and ignorant. i challenge him on that and he goes "oh yeah!? my dad and I give frozen turkeys to homeless people on the street every year for thanksgiving!"

[cheryjohns]

I had a very naive friend spend one Saturday buying fast food and trying to distribute to the people with signs stating they needed food. Most of them threw the food back at her. Unfortunately, she had her young son with her (trying to teach compassion). I think it was a failed lesson. Her heart was in the right place.

[14Bricks]

Originally Posted by cle_hou

Yeah it really is out of control. It is definitely not just Midtown. On Westheimer today almost all of the major intersections had them on all 4 sides of it! I also see people riding their bikes on these medians

The city needs to pass a law against panhandling. Get these bums off the street. If you need help go to the star of hope or a church or similar type of organization.