[ErVikingo]

Locally if you give money to panhandlers you get fined.

The government's rationale is that the county provides shelters and food. The problem is that some less fortunate prefer to get in on the street as they get more and are not controlled to spending it in food, clothes or housing.

Its a shame. We donate to recognized charities locally and hope it makes it to the intended recipients.

As to petty theft, its ridiculous and we do pay for it. I'll give you another example, office supplies. My office supply bill is normally 3 times higher during back to school times...

I have resorted to giving the parents in the office a back to school gift bag with pens, pencils and a notepad.