homeless people? (Pittsburgh, Liberty, Oakland: month to, home, to buy)

[WINDCHIMES]

On the Dr. Oz show there was a 12 year old girl who was picked up for streetwalking, she was too scared to go to the police, the only reason she is alive today is because someone called the police. They said that if not for this tip, she be dead now or never to be found cause when time passes, people change, they become more trapped into it.

Maybe these streetwalkers work as panhandlers during the day?

[youngabe]

Originally Posted by BettyTheHun

No disrespect but that is ludicrous as well as impracticable.

Ok, so what do you propose a person do? Hopes brought up the idea of human trafficking...that is entirely possible and it's also entirely possible, as I said, that these are clever Oakland college kids making some extra dough!

I ask that as a legitimate question, what do you do in a case like this? I personally do not like blowing things out of proportion or "crying wolf" per say, but, it's possible it's a serious incident or nothing more than meets the eye.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by youngabe

Ok, so what do you propose a person do? Hopes brought up the idea of human trafficking...that is entirely possible and it's also entirely possible, as I said, that these are clever Oakland college kids making some extra dough!

I ask that as a legitimate question, what do you do in a case like this? I personally do not like blowing things out of proportion or "crying wolf" per say, but, it's possible it's a serious incident or nothing more than meets the eye.

Whenever you suspect human trafficking, call the national number (1.888.373.7888).

I wouldn't necessarily do it every time I saw someone begging, but these people being dropped off/picked up by cars or vans is a big red flag. When you call the national hotline, they will want as much detail as possible about the locations, description of the vehicles, etc.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by 999cm999

I take the bus around Oakland and the Southside throughout the week and I've seen an increasingly strange thing happening around town.

Young adults standing at street corners with a sign begging for money.

On more than one occasion, I've seen a car or van pull up, the kid gets in, and another kid out of the van takes his/her place...what the heck is going on here?

Where, exactly, have you seen this?

[OilmanMike]

Simple, Do not give them money and they will not continue to beg on the streets!

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by OilmanMike

Simple, Do not give them money and they will not continue to beg on the streets!

Some of us have a very difficult time just turning a blind eye, though, to someone who potentially could be in need. I'm rather low-income myself thanks to this incessant recession, but nevertheless if someone walks up to me and says they haven't eaten in two days and are in dire need of help I'm not going to just ignore them.

What I do find bizarre, though, is how many vagrants and panhandlers are creeping up in our city's supposedly "tony" neighborhoods such as Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. I wonder if they meander to these places in hopes that the people will be more receptive to their requests?

[WINDCHIMES]

Hopefully the op will come back and tell us where he or she had seen this take place! I can pretty much sense a con when I see one...I will usually give something to someone who I think has nothing to eat, most are mentally unstable and don't know to go to a shelter sometimes...very sad, this is someones son, daughter, mom or dad...I bet most these people have no one in this world.

[gg]

Originally Posted by 999cm999

Wow, so this is organized begging? I feel bad for the kids if they have to do this.

I saw this a lot in Florida. Professional beggars. Seems nothing is sacred these days. My only advice is, just don't give any money to the pros. There are some homeless on the Allegheny River under the 9th Street Bridge or right around there all the time. If you feel the need to give, give to them.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

I saw this a lot in Florida. Professional beggars. Seems nothing is sacred these days. My only advice is, just don't give any money to the pros. There are some homeless on the Allegheny River under the 9th Street Bridge or right around there all the time. If you feel the need to give, give to them.

Are you missing the fact that the "pros" are prisoners who get beaten for not making enough money?

[KingKrab]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

Some of us have a very difficult time just turning a blind eye, though, to someone who potentially could be in need. I'm rather low-income myself thanks to this incessant recession, but nevertheless if someone walks up to me and says they haven't eaten in two days and are in dire need of help I'm not going to just ignore them.

What I do find bizarre, though, is how many vagrants and panhandlers are creeping up in our city's supposedly "tony" neighborhoods such as Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. I wonder if they meander to these places in hopes that the people will be more receptive to their requests?

You act like Squirrel Hill is the Beverly Hills of Pittsburgh. There is a huge distinction between North and South Squirrel Hill. I always see this on this forum. People who claim to know Pittsburgh think that all of Squirrel Hill is full of rich people.

South Squirrel hill consists of large amounts of apartment buildings, rows, and small houses. I lived in S. Squirrel hill and was far from living in a "Tony" neighborhood. My cockroach filled one room craphole I lived on in Hobart Street was probably worse than yours in Polish Hill. Murry Ave is just any other street in Pittsburgh. It is going to have it's bums in front of the dirty bird.