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What's the best way to help someone begging at an intersection?

Dayton3 said:
I imagine it's tough to get a job if you have no place of residence.
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You assumed that.

Some years ago I pulled up to a red light with a large gas station to my left and a cemetery to my right. About 12 noon. Traffic was medium. As I sat there, I noticed a young man in the cemetery with a wooden basket. He seemed to be removing flowers from graves. What I did then was turn left and then turn left again into the gas station. I sat there and watched. Yes, the young man was removing flowers from the vases on graves and placing the flowers in his wooden basket until it overflowed. He then walked out of the cemetery and walked between lanes in the street selling these flowers to passing motorists. He did this cycle about three different times and then walked over to a bicycle propped against the cemetery fence. He attached the wooden basket to a carrier located over the rear tire with a bungee cord. And then to my surprise, he pulled a cord and a small motor on the bike puffed to life. Off he goes. I tried to follow to see where he wound up, but he was weaving in and out of traffic and disappeared after about five minutes of keeping the throttle opened. He was dressed kinda nice, clean white t-shirt and nice khaki shorts. What a scam! Stealing from the dead to sell to the living to do what? Anyway, that experience made me quite a bit leery of these characters I see panhandling at street intersections.
 
OscarLevant said:
Well if you do help them you'll find more people standing on street corners and intersections.

What these people need is to be directed to places where they can be helped homeless shelters and what not
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I've lived in downtown Portland Oregon and San Diego, so we've been dealing with the homeless on a regular basis for a while. I don't believe that helping a homeless person will create more beggars any more than I believe conservatives who say the same thing about people on welfare. All those lazy liberals who're given 'free stuff'.

We've found that many homeless folks are just starving for interaction and conversations with others, it's a very lonely life. Like Lovebug, we've given out fast food gift cards. There's so many we can't give money to everyone, but we give a buck or two when we can. It's sad that giving a dollar every now and then would break the budget of anyone with a job.

I agree about shelters, but they can't possibility keep up with the money they're given thanks to Repub cutbacks. Also, many prefer living on the streets than shelters anyway. I don't know what else can we do, I'd hate to see vagrancy laws brought back so the middleclass and rich don't have to cast their eyes on the 'bums'...
 
What's the best way to help someone begging at an intersection?

I tell them this is my corner and if they don't leave some very big guys will call upon them and remove them by force.
 
SoCal said:
I've lived in downtown Portland Oregon and San Diego, so we've been dealing with the homeless on a regular basis for a while. I don't believe that helping a homeless person will create more beggars any more than I believe conservatives who say the same thing about people on welfare. All those lazy liberals who're given 'free stuff'.

We've found that many homeless folks are just starving for interaction and conversations with others, it's a very lonely life. Like Lovebug, we've given out fast food gift cards. There's so many we can't give money to everyone, but we give a buck or two when we can. It's sad that giving a dollar every now and then would break the budget of anyone with a job.

I agree about shelters, but they can't possibility keep up with the money they're given thanks to Repub cutbacks. Also, many prefer living on the streets than shelters anyway. I don't know what else can we do, I'd hate to see vagrancy laws brought back so the middleclass and rich don't have to cast their eyes on the 'bums'...
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Why do we see "do not feed the pidgeons" signs?

Because, when people feed them, more come to be fed. Not feeding them makes the birds go out into the wild and find food naturally, like they should.

If you help people at intersections, you'll just get more homeless at intersections.

They should be given the incentive to go to shelters, seek help from government services. And those who are actually able enough to devote their energy to find work, just might do so. I understand that most homeless are not capable of doing that, but they are capable of seeking help from places that are designed to help them. There are certain sections of downtown San Diego, near 14th and Imperial and along 17th streets, where people bring food for the homeless, and other supplies. It's an area widely known by the homeless.

The only way to give them that incentive is to not help then at intersections.
 
Rogue Valley said:
You assumed that.

Some years ago I pulled up to a red light with a large gas station to my left and a cemetery to my right. About 12 noon. Traffic was medium. As I sat there, I noticed a young man in the cemetery with a wooden basket. He seemed to be removing flowers from graves. What I did then was turn left and then turn left again into the gas station. I sat there and watched. Yes, the young man was removing flowers from the vases on graves and placing the flowers in his wooden basket until it overflowed. He then walked out of the cemetery and walked between lanes in the street selling these flowers to passing motorists. He did this cycle about three different times and then walked over to a bicycle propped against the cemetery fence. He attached the wooden basket to a carrier located over the rear tire with a bungee cord. And then to my surprise, he pulled a cord and a small motor on the bike puffed to life. Off he goes. I tried to follow to see where he wound up, but he was weaving in and out of traffic and disappeared after about five minutes of keeping the throttle opened. He was dressed kinda nice, clean white t-shirt and nice khaki shorts. What a scam! Stealing from the dead to sell to the living to do what? Anyway, that experience made me quite a bit leery of these characters I see panhandling at street intersections.
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Best answer so far.

If one feels moved to help in scenarios like the ones outlined in the OP, one need actually do nothing.

The amount of (tax-free) cash intake in these situations is such that no additional help is required.

Barnum covered the rest.
 
Moonglow said:
What's the best way to help someone begging at an intersection?

I tell them this is my corner and if they don't leave some very big guys will call upon them and remove them by force.
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Second best answer.
 
In Italy we were always told to ignore the gypsies, of all ages.
 
Dayton3 said:
I've seen several people lately standing or sitting at intersections in cities with signs asking for assistance. I find this extremely moving. Especially when more often than not they seem to haIve a dog with them.

What is the best way to assist such people? (and their dog). Given my current employment status I'm pretty hard up for extra money myself though thanks to my wife's job and the fact that we own a house and three vehicles we're not going to end up in the poorhouse (even if they still have those). Still I am moved by these peoples plight and I'm wondering what would be the best way to help them.

Any suggestions?
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I don't have a hard and fast one size fits all response other than I go with my gut and whether or not I have any money to give them to begin with since I often don't carry much if any cash around any more. I am very very weary of people on corners with signs. They seem to show up everywhere in our area around thanksgiving and then disappear after Christmas. Most of our persistent locals congregate in non-shopping areas because of the location of the shelters. There are some who sadly are somewhat special needs adults who no longer have family to lean on because their parents died, etc etc etc. and whoever is providing their shelter bilks them for the bulk of their SSI. Others are dead beats, others are addicts. Others are some combination of those things.
 
OscarLevant said:
Why do we see "do not feed the pidgeons" signs?

Because, when people feed them, more come to be fed. Not feeding them makes the birds go out into the wild and find food naturally, like they should.

If you help people at intersections, you'll just get more homeless at intersections.

They should be given the incentive to go to shelters, seek help from government services. And those who are actually able enough to devote their energy to find work, just might do so. I understand that most homeless are not capable of doing that, but they are capable of seeking help from places that are designed to help them. There are certain sections of downtown San Diego, near 14th and Imperial and along 17th streets, where people bring food for the homeless, and other supplies. It's an area widely known by the homeless.

The only way to give them that incentive is to not help then at intersections.
Click to expand...

While we might compare a Don supporter to a slug, I believe pigeons have less in common with the homeless than you think. Self-esteem, pride, humility, etc. are not well known traits in pigeons. Linking the homeless with pigeons seems right in line with conservatives who believe under funding welfare is the best incentive to make those loafers get a job. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

And I never venture past 10th Street... ;)
 
SoCal said:
While we might compare a Don supporter to a slug, I believe pigeons have less in common with the homeless than you think. Self-esteem, pride, humility, etc. are not well known traits in pigeons. Linking the homeless with pigeons seems right in line with conservatives who believe under funding welfare is the best incentive to make those loafers get a job. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

And I never venture past 10th Street... ;)
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I wasn't lowering the plight of the homeless to pidgeonry, just using the raw fact that helping homeless at intersections will bring more homeless to intersections.

A mere statistical fact, devoid of the other dynamics of homelessness.

If you are asserting that my thinking on this is equal to conservatives mentality that ending welfare will get loafers off the sofa and two work, you are putting words in my mouth.

In fact, you've made some associations I didn't mention, nor mean to imply.

If you can cast aside these associations, which, I do understand the tendency of the mind to do that, and stick to the raw fact, devoid of any other dynamic, you just might realize I'm correct in that helping the homeless at intersections will bring more homeless to intersections, and is that a good thing?

Maybe in your neighborhood, but I sincerely believe that most people people in most neighborhoods would not prefer it.

I see a lot of homeless sitting in front of convenience stores, such as a 7-11.

How would you like if it you owned a convenience store and you knew that customers will giving money to the homeless? when they do that, it will bring more homeless to your store?

Is that something you would want for your store?

Would it be any different for your neighborhood?

Wouldn't it be better for the homeless to be in a place where they might get some attention to their needs, better than what they might receive at an intersection?

In San Diego, not long ago, there was a hepatitis A problem with the homeless, there is a health issue here.

I"m just asking questions.

Some people, in my view, are beyond rehabilitation and should become wards of the state, institutionalized. This idea that people who wander the streets because they are totally incapable, due to mental illness, etc ( mostly mental illness ) in my view, should not be allowed to be homeless, they should be institutionalized, but that creates a rights issue.

Well, Reagan changed all that, didn't he? I never understood why he did that, and he caused homeless people whose needs were being attended to in institutions, kicked them out of the institutions and now they are walking the streets, and are now spreading disease in our neighborhoods, what, for "rights?" What about citizens rights not to have to stumble over mentally sick people and catch a disease?

I know that sounds callous, but there's a problem and I'm just tossing some ideas on how to deal with it, or how we did deal with it, once upon a time, noting that once upon a time, there were much less homeless than there are now. We had "hoboes" back in the day, and they weren't really sick, it was a lifestyle for many like that, riding trains to cities, hitchiking. I knew a guy whose "job" was hitchiking. That is how he made his living, off the generosity of drivers. He wasn't going anywhere, in particular, but he didn't tell the driver that, he just relied on their generosity to get a meal, and maybe a few bucks for a haircut and a shower, somewhere. But, today's homeless, most I've observed, are out of it. Lost souls, it's sad,, really.

I'm just asking questions. I feel sorry for people who lose a job, and could use some help, but people who are just fricking out of their minds, ga ga bat**** crazy, they need to be cared for in hospitals by professionals, and I just don't see how letting them wander about, aimlessly, is a good thing for them and for society, as a whole.
 
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Actually, the whole dog thing is quite ingenues

People relax/Feel good when they see animals and want to care for them

You're more likely to be suckered into giving money
 
americanwoman said:
One time I saw a young girl dressed quite provactivaly off the interstate ramp begging and I have to say, I've never seen so many people not ignore the person asking and willingly hand over some cash.
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dsc9286.jpg


RIP Leslie....local Austin homeless icon.
 
HumblePi said:
I have always been conscious of the 'invisible people'. There's little things that we can do. For instance, I was at the casino two days ago. There was a young man with a broom sweeping up here and there. There was a mess at the base of my machine, some careless smokers left cigarette butts there and someone spilled their coffee and left the soaking wet napkin and the empty cup right on the floor in front of the machine. I got the guy's attention and asked him if he could clean it up a bit, which he did. I handed him $2 as a tip for his help. I said to him "I bet you don't get many tips with your job" and he said "no, never". So I said 'well, now you do'. He was very grateful, his job is no doubt a minimum wage job, you know one of those many jobs that Trump took credit for creating, and I'm sure he can't live on that one job alone, probably has at least one other.

Two weeks ago, it was raining. I saw two women waiting on the corner for the bus to come. I pulled over and offered them a ride home, I didn't care where they lived. One of them took me up on the offer, the other said she would wait for the bus. I drove the woman home, which was in the next town.

I don't want 'thanks', and I don't want any hero medal for just doing something for someone in need. A month ago, again at a casino, there was a shuttle bus to take people to and from their parking area. A man got in the bus to return back to the area where he was parked and took out a $1 bill, he handed it to the driver. The shuttle driver thanked him for the tip. Then as the bus was moving, the man checked his wallet and went back to the driver to ask for his dollar back. I guess he needed it for something else. The bus driver handed it back of course and laughed a little. When the bus came to my stop, I took out $2 for a tip, I told the driver I was paying it forward, for me and that other guy. He was very grateful.

No, they weren't people living out on the street, destitute and desperate but they're all part of this life, our humanity. We don't have to make a big effort to do something, make someone smile if nothing else. The little things count for a lot with some people. If people are on the street begging for money, then give them $1, you can afford it. If every person that stopped at that light gave them $1, they probably wouldn't have the need to beg for money. I do not believe that anyone chooses to live that way.
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Personally I give very few people on the street money who stand on street corners. I do what you do, pay it forward. It's not for thanks it's hopefully if one day the person I paid it forward to might be able to do the same for someone else. I also make sure I tip well to the lowest paid folks.
 
OscarLevant said:
I wasn't lowering the plight of the homeless to pidgeonry, just using the raw fact that helping homeless at intersections will bring more homeless to intersections.

A mere statistical fact, devoid of the other dynamics of homelessness.

If you are asserting that my thinking on this is equal to conservatives mentality that ending welfare will get loafers off the sofa and two work, you are putting words in my mouth.

In fact, you've made some associations I didn't mention, nor mean to imply.

If you can cast aside these associations, which, I do understand the tendency of the mind to do that, and stick to the raw fact, devoid of any other dynamic, you just might realize I'm correct in that helping the homeless at intersections will bring more homeless to intersections, and is that a good thing?

Maybe in your neighborhood, but I sincerely believe that most people people in most neighborhoods would not prefer it.

I see a lot of homeless sitting in front of convenience stores, such as a 7-11.

How would you like if it you owned a convenience store and you knew that customers will giving money to the homeless? when they do that, it will bring more homeless to your store?

Is that something you would want for your store?

Would it be any different for your neighborhood?

Wouldn't it be better for the homeless to be in a place where they might get some attention to their needs, better than what they might receive at an intersection?

In San Diego, not long ago, there was a hepatitis A problem with the homeless, there is a health issue here.

I"m just asking questions.

Some people, in my view, are beyond rehabilitation and should become wards of the state, institutionalized. This idea that people who wander the streets because they are totally incapable, due to mental illness, etc ( mostly mental illness ) in my view, should not be allowed to be homeless, they should be institutionalized, but that creates a rights issue.

Well, Reagan changed all that, didn't he? I never understood why he did that, and he caused homeless people whose needs were being attended to in institutions, kicked them out of the institutions and now they are walking the streets, and are now spreading disease in our neighborhoods, what, for "rights?" What about citizens rights not to have to stumble over mentally sick people and catch a disease?

I know that sounds callous, but there's a problem and I'm just tossing some ideas on how to deal with it, or how we did deal with it, once upon a time, noting that once upon a time, there were much less homeless than there are now. We had "hoboes" back in the day, and they weren't really sick, it was a lifestyle for many like that, riding trains to cities, hitchiking. I knew a guy whose "job" was hitchiking. That is how he made his living, off the generosity of drivers. He wasn't going anywhere, in particular, but he didn't tell the driver that, he just relied on their generosity to get a meal, and maybe a few bucks for a haircut and a shower, somewhere. But, today's homeless, most I've observed, are out of it. Lost souls, it's sad,, really.

I'm just asking questions. I feel sorry for people who lose a job, and could use some help, but people who are just fricking out of their minds, ga ga bat**** crazy, they need to be cared for in hospitals by professionals, and I just don't see how letting them wander about, aimlessly, is a good thing for them and for society, as a whole.
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For a "liberal" you're not very big on the whole compassion thing I noticed.
 
FreedomFromAll said:
Bums stand on the corner demanding money; homeless people are not on street corners, but trying to find work. Learn the difference.
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Unfortunately, this tends to be very true. These are people who CHOOSE not to work. If you give them money, it is just going for drugs. Sorry to be the bad guy here, but giving these people money is enabling an addict. If you really want to help the homeless, give to your church's outreach programs.
 
gino said:
Unfortunately, this tends to be very true. These are people who CHOOSE not to work. If you give them money, it is just going for drugs. Sorry to be the bad guy here, but giving these people money is enabling an addict. If you really want to help the homeless, give to your church's outreach programs.
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Sorry but I do not have a church (not looking for one either).

Personally if I were to have the need to help the needy I would just seek out my friends who maybe needy. There are plenty of people who are our actual neighbors that need help. You do not need to go far. And if one cannot see that, then they are out of touch with their community.
 
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