do you guys give money to panhandlers?

[vash]

i gave up. i am so tired of the "work for food" cardboard signs. i have just started ignoring them. i dont think i am imagining things, but some homeless people seem completely sane. i would shovel schit to keep off the streets.

[1973911s]

My wife gives them food, the only ones we give money are the ones that say to buy beer.

Michael

[Leader]

The same group of panhandlers has been working the ON/OFF ramps where I enter/exit the 405 Freeway. They've been there every single day for more than five years!
I'd guess this troupe takes home more money a year (sans taxes!) than most of the people driving by them in their expensive cars.
I don't contribute.

[dd74]

Originally posted by Leader
The same group of panhandlers has been working the ON/OFF ramps where I enter/exit the 405 Freeway. They've been there every single day for more than five years!
I'd guess this troupe takes home more money a year (sans taxes!) than most of the people driving by them in their expensive cars.
I don't contribute.

Same here. I don't contribute. Long ago I heard contributing change to their outstretched hands encourages them to do the same day after day. Besides which, I need the change myself.

It is tragic though. I remember a time in L.A. when there wasn't a single homeless person to be seen. Then they suddenly cropped up, and in many ways, that was shocking.

[campbellcj]

Nope. It is only fueling the fire to do so.

The ironic thing is that there's a disproportionate number of homeless/panhandlers in the most costly beach areas i.e. SaMo, Malibu etc. I have never seen one in my neighborhood which is a few miles over the hills from the Malibu coast. Due to favorable weather conditions AND favorable cup-filling conditions, they seem to like the PCH/Lincoln corridor.

Also I like to look at their shoes. It is surprising how many panhandlers you'll see wearing $120 Nike's

[dd74]

Chris: we drove past the Malibu fair tonight down near Civic Center. You're right: bums everywhere; though they could also be drunk carneys staggering up and down PCH.

[GettinHeadStuds]

I had to... once. The bum's wife had been kidnapped and he was short 98 cents.

[84porsche]

Originally posted by GettinHeadStuds
I had to... once. The bum's wife had been kidnapped and he was short 98 cents.

It looks like she already put in her 2 cents.

[Adam]

"Carneys" LMAO!!

[bob tilton]

nope! i work hard for my money. they can do the same.

[SteveStromberg]

Here in Newport Beach we do not allow Bums.

[DonDavis]

No.

[mikester]

No. My wife gives to charities that help homeless people get back on their feet. giving money directly to someone on the street doesn't help them on average (everyonce in a while there's got to be a geniune person right?).

At a certain point being homeless becomes a lifestyle choice. If that's how you want to live - have a good time. If not - there are plenty of organizations out there that will help them.

[elwood-914]

First time- Offered to buy him food- nope.

Second time(different guy) With sign that said "will work for food" Offered to have him rake leaves at the church. his response was "he doesn't do leaves"

In Sacramento a few years ago a T.V. crew watched panhandlers for a couple of days, one guy was there every lunch hour then left. The followed him to his nice suburban a block away, he changed his clothes to go back to work!! When confronted he quickly got into his vehicle and sped away.

[cantdrv55]

"Also I like to look at their shoes. It is surprising how many panhandlers you'll see wearing $120 Nike's"

- this is bullschit! Next time you see a panhandler wearing expensive shoes, take a picture and post it because I just don't believe that BS. A lot of people feel the same way as you but I bet these same people give next to nothing to charity. Yet, they complain about all the homeless and contribute NOTHING to help solve the problem. Stop condemning the homeless and stop generalizing. There may be a few people out there making a good living by panhandling but they I bet my LIFE on it that they're the exception to the rule.

BTW, I'm a republican - a fiscal conservative and socially responsible. Unlike some so-called dems who wouldn't lift a finger to help anyone but themselves.

Sorry for the rant but I'm sick of people saying things like, why doesn't that bum just get a job, when they see a homeless person. A lot of homeless have mental issues that make them unemployable.

[Leader]

While I've not seen any "Off Rampers" wearing expensive tennies, I have seen many smoking (a pretty expensive habit for someone who's begging) and I've also witnessed one guy get into his car (a beater, at least) and drive off...home?...somewhere.
My point is - these guys count on people with attitudes like "cantdrv55," knowing that a certain segment of the population will feel sorry for them and give them a couple of bucks. It obviously happens often enough to be a viable way to exist. Maybe not the best use of your time, but a living nonetheless.
If nobody gave, the panhandlers would slowly go somewhere new. Or, you could do it like Malibu, CA does - police escort out of the city. Cruel? Maybe. But pretty effective. Just ask anyone on the bum-clotted streets of Santa Monica, Malibu's neighbor.
This problem won't ever be solved by small currency exchanges at freeway off ramps.

[rcm]

OK, so I'm in Salt lake on bizz. Two kids around 20-25, guy and a girl. They look like they have been doing Phish or the Dead tour.They come up to me and say they are down on thier luck and out of dough. The gentleman has a sick family member he really needs to go see in CA. But they do not have money for transportation. I say ok. let's go over to the bus station and I will buy you both tickets to CA. They both get this dumb look and say well thanks, but they would rather have the cash. I say tickets or nothing. They take nothing, not even smart enough to take the tickets and trade them in for cash!? What they needed was weed or X or some crap.

That was the last time I've offered anything *uck 'em, get a job. They are all liars anyway.

You all sound like a bunch of heartless conservatives. Selfish, selfish, selfish.........

[billwagnon]

"Heartless conservative" is repetitive. And redundant.

[Schrup]

When I used to work on gas stations, I saw how many pan handlers operate. Most of them were only interested in getting enough for the next "Forty". Then they would disappear till the malt liquor was gone & come back even more aggressive than before. I've got nothing against panhandling until it turns into intimidation. I often give money (if I have it) to person with an obvious disability, but the rest can kiss my ass & get a frickin job.