Foiling Panhandler

[dmccarty]

I'll wager that was his plan all along.

He is pretty young so I don't think he planned to get back to prison even though he was running around doing other crimes before he was caught. He is just an idiot. I do know of men who have done horrible crimes just to be sent back to prison but I don't think this guy could think that far ahead. He really is lucky he did not get killed.

Later,
Dan

 

[Sigarms]

Good advice, and exactly how I've always felt about it, too. Last thing on my mind is to escalate a confrontation into a MWAG situation. Things can go from "I feel like a bada$$" to "Why am I in handcuffs" way too quickly. Something I always compared it to was:

"Speak softly, but carry a big stick."

Nice to know I'm not the only one.

Personally, the thread of this post seems kind of pathetic in the grand schemes of life.

Sometimes I've been played, but sometimes I've been given more than any money could repay by helping. Learned a long time ago it's not what the people do with what you give, but that you gave because it's the right thing you do.

Don't get me wrong, I just don't dump money onto the street for anyone asking, but I have done some overnight stays in shelters. Everyone on the street isn't a con artist as this thread my have you believe.

****, I'd rather give money to someone on the street for any asking other than the fricken telemarketers I get, and that's including the NRA. That said, I do have a lot more fun with telemarketers, even those from the NRA. My boys get a hoot out of that LOL

In the end, IMO it's only for but the grace of God to be where I'm at today. I understand some people do play others for fools, but by the same token, Jesus didn't tell his disciples about the Samaritan who didn't fall for one of the oldest tricks in the book. If you foil a panhandler, great for you, just hope you decide to actually help where help may be needed.

 

[GAFarmer2]

Learned a long time ago it's not what the people do with what you give, but that you gave because it's the right thing you do.

What this guy said!

 

[bcp]

I'll wager that was his plan all along.

Like this guy?

Lawrence Ripple, man who robbed bank to escape wife, sentenced in KCK | The Kansas City Star

Bruce

 

[TomSeller]

Had a shady guy come up to me while I was pumping gas .He got a bit too close asking for money . I pulled the nozzle out of my truck and pointed it at him and had a lighter in my other hand . He got the message real quick . I also left rather quick

These days it wouldn't pump unless the collar was pouched back by the filler neck. But he would have to BUY gas to know that.

 

[TomSeller]

**, I'd rather give money to someone on the street for any asking other than the fricken telemarketers I get, and that's including the NRA. That said, I do have a lot more fun with telemarketers, even those from the NRA. My boys get a hoot out of that LOL
.

How about those panhandling religious shows where they sing and ask for money. All are dressed very nice. Anyone give them money? Not me but someone sure does.

 

[MossRoad]

I always have a dollar or two up in the dash tray for when I'm "stuck" at an intersection with a panhandler. If they come out to my vehicle I can give them a buck. I will tell them to check in with Salvation Army because I give them annual donations. And I do give annually to SA.

If one car every three minutes gives him a buck, he's making $20 per hour tax free..... so he's freeloading on society in yet another way.

 

[Sigarms]

How about those panhandling religious shows where they sing and ask for money. All are dressed very nice. Anyone give them money? Not me but someone sure does.

Personally, I could never figure out those shows.

We tithe, but we also know what our money is doing.

On a side note and to flip this story thread around, I do know of one panhandler that actually saved me while I was working in Charlotte. Long story, but I ended up giving him all my cash in my wallet, about $100. Thing is, it is a long story, but if I wouldn't of met that guy, there is a good chance I wouldn't be right where I'm at today. I've never heard God talk to me through my ears, but I'd like to think he's trying through my heart.

Every day we get up we're blessed. We're even more blessed if we have a loving family, roof over our heads and home cooked meals everyday. I also believe we're all only two steps away from being those same people on the streets looking for money. The way I see it, I give in part as my way of saying thank you and not taking what I have for granted. The added reality is I'm not where I'm at today just by work alone, there was some "luck" involved as well.

Now back to the thread... anytime you want to get into a argument with a panhandler, that's just plain stupid. It's even more stupid to get into a argument with someone and then thinking you should have your gun.

 

[smstonypoint]

Surely you have those days when you wonder "What's up with the panhandling industry"? Then you come to the same old realization: "I need the advice of an economist -- an economist would be able to answer my question."

By chance, Tyler Cowen's Assorted Links (Friday assorted links - Marginal REVOLUTION) includes https://www.gc.cuny.edu/CUNY_GC/media/CUNY-Graduate-Center/PDF/Programs/Economics/Course%20Schedules/Seminar%20Sp.2013/panhandlingpaper100813.pdf -- "Panhandling in Downtown Manhattan: A Preliminary Analysis."


Here's the abstract:

Panhandling is a very visible industry, yet mysterious to outsiders. How does it work? How do
panhandlers allocate locations? Is there a market? Do they fight? Is there a mafia? How do
panhandlers get donors to give, when many potential donors think most panhandlers are frauds?
What are good policies toward panhandling? Should it be banned? Should generosity diversion
programs be set up to divert donations to formal charities? Should it be encouraged? Our tentative
answers are that there are more good locations than willing panhandlers, and so location is not
contentious or a big source of efficiency losses. On information, a pooling equilibrium is far from
first-best, and policy might concentrate on improving credibility.

Steve

 

[Deere Dude]

About 15 years ago while snowbirding in southern FL we would be hit up by beggars every time we left the trailer park... From the midwest we always felt guilty every time we didn't give to someone who asked. While going to the local Winn Dixie we always had a few panhandlers.

My wife had a brainstorm one day. She knew how giving money would just be encouraging them to beg more she would keep some grocery items in the car at all times so when someone would come up and ask for money she would just ask if they could use food instead. It worked once or twice.

Shortly after her brilliant plan went into effect I was following her out of the grocery store by a couple hundred feet. Some male 50 something beggar asked for money but said he would accept food. So she opened her drivers door and set her purse in the front seat and with her back to him proceeded to dig through some grocery bags to see what he would want.

All the while I was closing in with an eye on what she and he was doing. Nothing happened but he got a few Twinkies, but it would have been so easy for him to do whatever else he wanted. I mentioned to her the situational awareness she needed to have and we shut the snack bar down for good.

Same store later, I was sitting in the truck while she was shopping. I noticed and older guy and he must have seen the sucker sign on my head so he came right over and asked for money, but I refused and he went away. Watching him for the half hour I saw him do more work returning carts to the store than any Winn Dixie employee ever did. On the way through I flipped a 5 spot for working so hard.