Brother Can You Spare a Dollar? Why You Should Stop Giving Money to the Homeless
Generally speaking, it is my contention that homeless individuals use their frightening, disheveled appearance to their advantage. Not only do they walk up to you in an alarming, brazen manner, but they have the gall to ask for a specific amount of money. It used to be that they would ask for spare change, but now they approach strangers begging for at least a dollar. Street people loiter near gas stations, grocery stores, parking lots, fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and coffee houses. They are relentless, continually begging for money even after they are told no more than once. Some are even bold enough to actually step into the building, and ask for the change that the cashier just put in your hand.
This desperation and aggressiveness has lead me to believe that the homeless are using their "donations" to purchase drugs or alcohol. Addiction has no doubt caused them to be more imposing and potentially dangerous. They have also become more slick as they have sharpened their skills. The one and only goal is manipulating, deceiving, and stealing the hard earned money of an innocent individual. I always lock my car whenever I step out of it, and I never leave personal belongings in plain sight in my car. I keep my purse close to my body, and I'm always aware of my surroundings.
Last week, I was in a drug store parking lot when I noticed a homeless man approach a shopper loading his packages in the car. I saw the man hand him a crisp bill, and the homeless man walked away. A few minutes later, I noticed him walk on the side of the building with another man. I watched them exchange something with their hands, and I was convinced that it had to be a drug deal.
I'm sure most people feel that it is a harmless, beneficent gesture to give a homeless person a measly dollar, but if they hustle from sun up until sun down they could potentially accumulate $50 - $100 a day. Because of the huge number of people that continue to give money to the homeless, they are persistent in their endeavors. The newer scams include marginal homeless people that look somewhat presentable. They hound you for bus fare because their car broke down, or they need to change to make a call at the phone booth. Some say they only need another quarter to get their kid some cough medicine, but again a quarter here and a quarter there adds up very quickly. They beg and plead until the startled individual just wants them to move on, and what better way than by throwing a couple of quarters at him? A great number of homeless people have mental health issues which could make them even more explosive.
If more people refused to give homeless people money, their confidence and aggressiveness would eventually decline because they would get turned down so much more. If you simply cannot find it in your heart to turn your back on a fellow human being, then by all means go in the store or the fast food restaurant and buy them something to eat. I have offered food before, and many times my offer has been declined. Although they approached me holding their stomach, and complaining of hunger, it was all an act. I can only assume that what they really wanted was to buy an illegal substance (or liquor/cigarettes).
My advice is to always be aware of your surroundings and watch for whoever is coming your way. Say no firmly, and quickly walk away. Don't stop to talk or sound hesitant when you respond because they will feel like there is a chance. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Published by Racy Lee
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10 Comments
Post a Commentwhen i was 5, a drunkard approached me and asked for 10 CENTS for bus fare! Now that I am much older, 'homeless' people stand at virtually every major intersection and i see virtually every single one of them get a bill or two--just in the time I drive by. Ironically, the newspaper in my area did a story about a women who'd drive and park to her prefered area and hold a sign that said homeless with 5 kids, when she was in fact single without kids, living in subsized housing and collecting SSI.(and taking home $100-$200 a day tax free)
Panhandle is not the real problem. The problem lies with churches and groups who provide for homeless and give them no insentive to not be homeless. In downtown Tacoma there is 5 places to eat and get services and 80% of the homeless are only homeless cause of drugs, alcohol and pure lazyness. Make them sink or swim, cause let starvation be there insentive.
If only the shelters and churches that you give to would do quit their addiction:MONEY. All these agencies, and homeless just keeps on increasing. Homeless people need housing. When are the agencies gonna put signs in their windows that read "We have housing available NOW" You will never see it cause there is none. It's all human warehousing with forced 12 step witchcraft religion, and rotten food. The buildings were paid for years and years ago. Mats on the floor cost nothing. Where does the money go! It does not go in the homeless pockets...none of it.
Oh yeah. There are some aggressive con artists out there. I had a lady pester me for $30 so she could buy a bus ticket back home. I know it was a scam, but she was really on the guilt trip. "I'm not a criminal. I just need to get home. I'm a single mom with two children who need me." These people will say anything!
$50.00 to $100.00. Maybe I'm in the wrong profession. Great article.
i work with the homeless a couple times a month and i've even went and lived on the streets for a day just to see what it's like. i don't know where you live, but i agree that most of the people who ask probably are wanting to feed an unhealthy addiction. but i've known homeless people who have been overly desperate and aggressive for money because their soup kitchen closed or moved or ran out of food and they were literally starving to death. i encourage you to keep offering them food whenever they ask for money, or even have a couple fast food gift money things handy so they HAVE to use it for food and nothing else.
also, did u get the numbers 50-100 dollars from a reliable source? again, dont know where you live but i've yet to meet a panhandler to make THAT much money in one day.
Even recovering homeless people will tell never to give them money (Google Kevin Barbieux). The guy who gave his fries to a hungry man was exception to the rule. The author is correct: they are only saving the money to feed some addiction - either drugs or alcohol. No one knows what the solution to homelesseness is, but it isn't to be found in giving handouts.
Much truth in this article. The majority of homeless people do not panhandle. Some people who hold signs on the freeway are not homeless. The reason they ask for a specific amount of money is because it generally brings favorable results. "I just need 47 cents more" will often produce a dollar. Most cities have "agressive panhandler" laws. Agressive panhandlers should be reported to the authorities. Many of those addicted to drugs would rather panhandles than rob. Many homeless work to earn alcohol and drug money.
I do not know about all the scamming. Today I say a homeless man as I was driving off of the interstate. He had a sign that read "anything would be appreciated". Course I had just come from Wendy's myself. So I gave him my order of fries and 2 bucks. He was by all means respectful and most appreciative, I can imagine only how many people may have passed him on such a hot day and offered him nothing at all. I know I've complained about being hungry, but he gobbled those fries. I just think gotta take it on a case by case basis.
My teenage sister was hit up by a woman with the 'if you could only give me a dollar for bus fare ...' line, so my sister gave her a bus token. The woman stood shocked for a moment, then went on to tell her how 'jesus would bless you if you would just give me five dollars ...' I'm with you all the way!