Originally Posted by
BrushStart
Over the years I've lived downtown, I've had hundreds of encounters with homeless panhandlers. I know most of the regulars on my block by name and have spent hours talking with many of them. The fact is, many are very aggressive. I got to know one guy very well, gave him money and food several times and even a few pairs of shoes. One day, he got very aggressive with me and wouldn't let me pass. From that point on I tried to avoid him. The next time he came up to me, he went to shake my hand and attempted to steal my watch [[which isn't worth squat).
I can't tell you how many times I've been out with my girlfriend and they will harass us for blocks or say obscene things. I'm always polite until they become aggressive, at which point, you have to let them know that you can be dangerous if threatened. It has gotten to the point that it is hard to walk 10 feet in the CBD without being harassed. Some of the panhandlers run scams. There's even a male/female couple who works together with different stories every time about paying for their kid's college fund. There's another guy who stole a nurse's outfit and pretends to be broke down. There's the favorite line about needing gas money or being from out of town. These people simply piss me off because I know they are lying. I never give them anything.
I feel bad for the ones with severe mental illness. Their situations are very unfortunate and I have compassion. I even feel bad for the ones with addictions, and will even give them money or leftover food sometimes, even if I know I am being an enabler. But, the bums who are foul-mouthed jackasses who think they can intimidate me into giving them my loose change can F off.
After many years of putting up with this, I can honestly say that the problem has gotten worse in the CBD and midtown. Many of the new "bums" even seem to be more of thugs than the disheveled needy folks I am used to seeing. For this reason, I have stopped giving altogether. Hell, that spare change is useful for feeding the parking meter, and I often enjoy eating my leftovers.