Increasing Homeless Population all over the Phoenix Metro Area (Scottsdale: apartment, neighborhoods)

[kell490]

Originally Posted by once-upon-chicago

I've been in the Valley for over 30 years and have been noticing the homeless in areas of town where I've never seen the homeless before, for example, north Scottsdale and north east Phoenix (not to mention an overall rise in the number of homeless - even downtown Phoenix). Only since this year it seems that I've seen the homeless at Scottsdale and Bell, or even Tatum and Bell. Even in Sun City! I don't understand as the infrastructure isn't set up for easy travel, and there are no services in these areas that I know of. Is it because the metro area is growing out? Thoughts on this?

I wish people would stop calling them homeless. They are making 200-300 a day tax free I don't know why anyone gives them money there has been several news stories where they follow the person who goes back to a home only to find out they are outright scam or hooked on drugs.

Friend of mine went to Seattle Pioneer Square said panhandlers there were very aggressive getting in your face and yelling if you didn't give them money. He asked a store owner about it and they said just give them 25 cents they leave you alone like a tax on walking down the street.

Example of what he was talking about >https://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/com...ok&sh=212817dc

Originally Posted by ddandano

I just spoke with a Phx cop. He told me it is a heroin problem. These are mostly junkies. He said that they do not have guns but every one of them has a knife. Please be careful when dealing with these people, they can hurt you.

I know someone who was addicted to narcotic drugs now works as a drug counselor she said last 5-7 years doctors have become increasingly more restrictive to get scripts for narcotics those people are turning to heroin. The DEA went after doctors who were writing too many scripts of pain killers shut them down. States passed laws to allow pharmacy's to share a database stop people who get multiple doctors to write scripts.

[Vanderbiltgrad]

I live in Miami Beach and we do have a ton of homeless here, warm weather cities always have a lot of transients and homeless people. I do agree many homeless people are scamming people but I have seen some teenage homeless girls as well being pimped out before and that is sad. Lot of people take advantage of the homeless as well here robbing them or beating them up because they know the homeless will not report it to police. Sad situations all around.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

Contrary to popular belief our national economy is not as strong as the government wants us to believe. I know from first hand experience that some transients became that way due to unexpected life changes. Prior to that, they were just like "us" in terms of living a "normal" life.

I'm not in AZ but I did notice this thread by browsing. And, yes, I'm seeing an uptick in homelessness in Philadelphia and NYC specifically people squatting with those sad cardboard signs.

I would factor in the opioid/heroin epidemic that's going on as another part of it. I see a lot young people now in addition to people who have been on the streets for a long time.

[JGMotorsport64]

I haven't noticed any more/less homeless here than anywhere else. However, I have noticed a popular scam here and it goes like this:

(Approaches walking person while on a bicycle)
"Hey I'm here from [CITY] my wife and kids are up in a room over there, I was staying with my so called family and now I can't afford to feed my wife and kids and just need enough money for bus fare/food."

[HomeIsWhere...]

It is definitely a serious problem, especially in major metro areas (LA, NYC, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, etc.). I don't have any answers for sure but I definitely try to avoid any confrontations with anyone.

I do recall the 'windshield cleaners' of the past that, while 'admirable' they were 'working' for their handout I found them to be pushy and intimidating. We don't seem to have any of those around here anymore. Interesting story, but somehow it's a bit off.

Panhandlers win in court over sheriff's office in Chicago - January 28, 2016

Phillips, who said he started panhandling 10 years ago after losing his job as a butcher, said he can make as much as $8,000 annually begging five hours a day, five days a week. He said he typically holds up a sign that reads, "I'm Just Hungry."

On the witness stand, he told jurors he's occasionally handed a $20 bill but often makes just several dollars a day.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/panhandle...61.html?ref=gs

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by HomeIsWhere...

It is definitely a serious problem, especially in major metro areas (LA, NYC, Chicago, Miami, New Orleans, etc.). I don't have any answers for sure but I definitely try to avoid any confrontations with anyone.

I do recall the 'windshield cleaners' of the past that, while 'admirable' they were 'working' for their handout I found them to be pushy and intimidating. We don't seem to have any of those around here anymore. Interesting story, but somehow it's a bit off.

Panhandlers win in court over sheriff's office in Chicago - January 28, 2016

Phillips, who said he started panhandling 10 years ago after losing his job as a butcher, said he can make as much as $8,000 annually begging five hours a day, five days a week. He said he typically holds up a sign that reads, "I'm Just Hungry."

On the witness stand, he told jurors he's occasionally handed a $20 bill but often makes just several dollars a day.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/panhandle...61.html?ref=gs

Homeless Where the Heart is...

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by kell490

I wish people would stop calling them homeless. They are making 200-300 a day tax free I don't know why anyone gives them money there has been several news stories where they follow the person who goes back to a home only to find out they are outright scam or hooked on drugs.

Contrarians give them money. Oh what are contrarians? If you haven't noticed, there are always people who like to go against status quo for the sake of feeling pride at being the person who does things differently. So the contrarian types hear all this buzz about the homeless scamming people and they want to go against that. They want to say "Oh people are so cruel, they are just making that up, I will give them cash every time I see them." Unfortunately, there are a fair number of idiotic contrarians who have to prove everyone wrong and they keep perpetuating the problem.

[MountainGuy74]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Contrarians give them money. Oh what are contrarians? If you haven't noticed, there are always people who like to go against status quo for the sake of feeling pride at being the person who does things differently. So the contrarian types hear all this buzz about the homeless scamming people and they want to go against that. They want to say "Oh people are so cruel, they are just making that up, I will give them cash every time I see them." Unfortunately, there are a fair number of idiotic contrarians who have to prove everyone wrong and they keep perpetuating the problem.

Kinda like a Hipster? Giving money to panhandlers before it was cool/trendy.

[kell490]

The only time I get upset is when I see them out with young kids pan handling that's when I call the police. I saw a woman who was obviously on drugs with a 2-3 year old in the center of the street 100 degrees out. Kid face was sun burnt red and crying.

[YAZ]

Oh yeah, the vast majority (excuse me for my outlandish assumption....maybe), are not homeless. A few years ago there were a couple of gals with signs at my favorite exit ramp. "Need money for kids' Christmas."


Let's face it, it's become "normal" to ask for money. And the gals that I saw peddlin' for Christmas cash prob'ly were more efficient at raising money then let's say.....a part-time seasonal job.