counting pandhandlers
March 4th, 2013 at 8:58:55 AM
permalink
Yesterday morning, my partner and I drove to Fashion show mall and walked the strip, donating 5 bucks to each panhandler. I included the musicians who had a donation jar, hat or box, but NOT the costumed type characters. That might be discrimination of the entrepreneurial costumed characters, but hey....my rules. Started with a pack of 100, $5 bills. We hit each of the 14 pedestrian bridges over the strip and side streets (Flamingo, Tropicana, Spring Mountain roads). The remainder of the walk south took place on the east side of the strip because it seems like their are more panhandlers that congregate on the east side than the west side of the strip, often sitting in the quad area, down through now closed Bill's, the area in front of Bally's is another popular area as well as further south between Planet Hollywood and MGM. At the completion of our journey I had only 11 bills remaining which I gave to the folks collecting money for the homeless. I really thought I would exhaust the supply of bills before we reached our journey's end, so that surprised me, but I should mention that this walk began at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. Might have been just a wee bit early for prime time. Perhaps and hour or two later and I would have run out of bills before panhandlers.
March 4th, 2013 at 9:11:36 AM
permalink
Panhandling seems to be a major problem in just about every major American city I have been to. In Vegas it is bad on the strip. In my town of Chicago, it is just ridiculous. From experience it is bad in NYC, Philly, DC, and although I have never been there, I have hear you cannot walk 6 feet in parts of San Fran without someone begging for your money. I donate to various homeless shelters via my contributions to my church and I have volunteered at them from time to time. I have seen people begging on the side of the road one day, and I see those same people the following day entering a $60,000 vehicle. I have sworn off of giving money to people just sitting by the side of the road doing nothing. If they want to play some music or some sort of performance I may be inclined to donate if they have some talent. If any of you remember Bernie Mac, he used to perform comedy for donations at El stops in downtown Chicago. Some of my favorite local street musicians in Chicago are known as "The Bucket Boys" and have even played at halftime of some Bulls games.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-SN2l6JZO0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-SN2l6JZO0
A flute with no holes is not a flute, a donut with no holes is a danish
March 4th, 2013 at 10:05:44 AM
permalink
So let me get this straight...you INTENDED to give out $500?
To be honest with you...panhandling is MUCH harder work than I do...and I make $30/hour
To be honest with you...panhandling is MUCH harder work than I do...and I make $30/hour
Gambling calls to me...like this ~> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nap37mNSmQ
March 4th, 2013 at 10:08:36 AM
permalink
Quote: Gabes22Panhandling seems to be a major problem in just about every major American city I have been to. In Vegas it is bad on the strip.
I guess it depends on what you're used to.
In comaprison to Mexico City, panhandlers are few in Vegas (really!). For example, in Mex City there is at least one at every busy stop light, plus two or three more selling candy, cigarettes and munchies, plus two more with squeegees and a bottle of soapy water. In major intersections, multiply that by four. In heavily trafficked pedestrian streets, you'll see more people begging for spare change, plus enough street stands selling just about everything you can think of.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
March 4th, 2013 at 10:13:19 AM
permalink
I have heard awful things about Mexico City. But I am not trying to get in a whole "It's not as bad here as it is there" type deal. I am just saying it is a problem in virtually every major American city.
A flute with no holes is not a flute, a donut with no holes is a danish
March 4th, 2013 at 10:21:13 AM
permalink
The Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland is also bad. You get panhandled on your way in, while you are in, and on your way out. Being built where it is, it was to be expected.
March 4th, 2013 at 10:22:20 AM
permalink
Quote: Gabes22I have heard awful things about Mexico City. But I am not trying to get in a whole "It's not as bad here as it is there" type deal. I am just saying it is a problem in virtually every major American city.
I apologize if it came off that way.
Yes, it's a problem in every city in the world. It has likely been a problem since there were cities in the world, too. My point was that when you're used to a certain level, other levels don't seem like much of a problem in comparison.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
March 4th, 2013 at 10:33:53 AM
permalink
Quote: MrRalphThe Horseshoe Casino in Cleveland is also bad. You get panhandled on your way in, while you are in, and on your way out. Being built where it is, it was to be expected.
Especially considering this Tourism video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZzgAjjuqZM
A flute with no holes is not a flute, a donut with no holes is a danish
March 4th, 2013 at 10:34:44 AM
permalink
Quote: Gabes22I have sworn off of giving money to people just sitting by the side of the road doing nothing. If they want to play some music or some sort of performance I may be inclined to donate if they have some talent.
One of the world's best violin players set up in the DC subway once as a Washington Post experiment. Here's what happened:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myq8upzJDJc
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
March 4th, 2013 at 10:40:48 AM
permalink
I don't give to these people directly but I and my family always donate and volunteer to the agencies that provide them with assistance.
Worcester, Ma. just passed an ordinance outlawing panhandlers. They're educating them now but eventually they will be arrested if caught. The ordinance was passed for safety reasons but let's face it, people just didn't like seeing these down and out folks on traffic islands and expressway ramps.
An unintended consequence of this is that no one can stand on the streets asking for money. No one now includes firemen with their boot drives, little leagues, and high school fundraising. Oops.
Worcester, Ma. just passed an ordinance outlawing panhandlers. They're educating them now but eventually they will be arrested if caught. The ordinance was passed for safety reasons but let's face it, people just didn't like seeing these down and out folks on traffic islands and expressway ramps.
An unintended consequence of this is that no one can stand on the streets asking for money. No one now includes firemen with their boot drives, little leagues, and high school fundraising. Oops.
Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth. - Mahatma Ghandi
March 4th, 2013 at 10:53:38 AM
permalink
Quote: 1BBI don't give to these people directly but I and my family always donate and volunteer to the agencies that provide them with assistance.
I know a lot of people feel this way. I do both. I have a little list of organizations that I like to contribute to. I also donate my time, volunteering half a day each week at a youth homeless shelter, where I wash and dry several hundred sets of sheets and towel. But I still give a couple bucks to many of the panhandlers. I know the different organizations say not to do this, that they will only run out and buy beer and such, but I am actually ok with that. If your life has deteriorated to the point that you are sleeping on the street, literally, I can understand the need to escape even for a short time. I mean I would much prefer money I spent really helped someone, but lets be real here. I try to offer a little compassion and just be thankful that is not me. I was homeless for a short period when I was 18, lived in a homeless shelter for 3 months while I finished up high school, so I know a little bit about how discouraging it can be, although my situation was never as hopeless as these folks I am speaking of, so I am not trying to compare to that. Just be grateful where I am and try to help out a little bit.
March 4th, 2013 at 10:58:04 AM
permalink
When I lived in Naperville, IL, there was this homeless shelter I used to volunteer at in Aurora that was affiliated with the Catholic Church. As a condition of being given a bed at this place, the shelter required the tenant to look for a job, which they would assist with. When they got the job 1/3 of the money went to "rent", 1/3 of the money was put in an interest bearing account for the tenant for when he/she could leave and find a place on their own and 1/3 of the money was the person's to spend as they pleased. I thought it was a decent enough program which allowed people to establish a bit of a nest egg.
A flute with no holes is not a flute, a donut with no holes is a danish
March 4th, 2013 at 1:58:58 PM
permalink
Quote: kewljYesterday morning, my partner and I drove to Fashion show mall and walked the strip, donating 5 bucks to each panhandler. .
You mean you took money you won playing BJ
as an AP, a profession that is a 'drain on society
and has no redeeming value', as has been pointed
out numerous times here, and did something
constructive with it? That flies in the face of the
universe and a horsewhipping should be in order,
if we only knew who you were and what you looked
like. That money should only be used for drugs and
alcohol.. Oh wait, you gave it to panhandlers and
they'll use it for, well, you know.
Good job, all is right with the yang and yang after all..
(Disclaimer: This is a post made in jest. I'm joking. I
don't endorse horsewhipping. Unless its public and
we can watch, of course.)
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
March 4th, 2013 at 3:59:54 PM
permalink
Welcome back ?
There's emptiness behind their eyes
There's dust in all their hearts
They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
March 4th, 2013 at 4:27:40 PM
permalink
Is it better, karma-wise, to give money to the worthless POS beggars than to the worthless POS dealers?
"What, me worry?"
March 4th, 2013 at 4:32:15 PM
permalink
I'm guessing you don't mean "Point - of - Sale"
There's emptiness behind their eyes
There's dust in all their hearts
They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
March 4th, 2013 at 4:36:27 PM
permalink
Quote: JohnnyQI'm guessing you don't mean "Point - of - Sale"
Uh, no.
I could tell you, but then I'd have to give you five bucks and believe me, with me, that dog won't hunt.
To the OP: Really?!
"What, me worry?"
March 4th, 2013 at 4:38:56 PM
permalink
thanks for the 5 bucks.....it came in handyQuote: kewljYesterday morning, my partner and I drove to Fashion show mall and walked the strip, donating 5 bucks to each panhandler. I included the musicians who had a donation jar, hat or box, but NOT the costumed type characters. That might be discrimination of the entrepreneurial costumed characters, but hey....my rules. Started with a pack of 100, $5 bills. We hit each of the 14 pedestrian bridges over the strip and side streets (Flamingo, Tropicana, Spring Mountain roads). The remainder of the walk south took place on the east side of the strip because it seems like their are more panhandlers that congregate on the east side than the west side of the strip, often sitting in the quad area, down through now closed Bill's, the area in front of Bally's is another popular area as well as further south between Planet Hollywood and MGM. At the completion of our journey I had only 11 bills remaining which I gave to the folks collecting money for the homeless. I really thought I would exhaust the supply of bills before we reached our journey's end, so that surprised me, but I should mention that this walk began at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. Might have been just a wee bit early for prime time. Perhaps and hour or two later and I would have run out of bills before panhandlers.
Each day is better than the next
March 4th, 2013 at 4:52:28 PM
permalink
It must have been a record day for Stage Door Liquors selling 24oz cans of high alcohol cheap beer.
March 4th, 2013 at 4:59:09 PM
permalink
Quote: MrVIs it better, karma-wise, to give money to the worthless POS beggars than to the worthless POS dealers?
It is better, karma-wise, to give it to the POS dealers.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
March 4th, 2013 at 5:01:35 PM
permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
March 4th, 2013 at 5:06:37 PM
permalink
I refuse to give money to panhandlers. Too often, I see the same "$60,000 vehicle" scenario and in fact, I witnessed a large SUV dropping off four panhandlers at the I-25/Colorado Blvd. interchange here in Denver.
I will give them a bottle of water and/or a small food item if I have any on me on the time. If they refuse (no one has yet), then I know their true intention.
I will give them a bottle of water and/or a small food item if I have any on me on the time. If they refuse (no one has yet), then I know their true intention.
March 4th, 2013 at 5:14:35 PM
permalink
Quote: PGBusterI refuse to give money to panhandlers. Too often, I see the same "$60,000 vehicle" scenario and in fact, I witnessed a large SUV dropping off four panhandlers at the I-25/Colorado Blvd. interchange here in Denver.
I will give them a bottle of water and/or a small food item if I have any on me on the time. If they refuse (no one has yet), then I know their true intention.
Exactly the same here. I consider myself a compassionate person but you just don't know where and what type of a person your money really is going to.
I've got to say, maybe I'm just in the "right" parts of the DC metro area but I've only seen one... maybe two... in my six months here. Admittedly, I only drive maybe 4-5 hours a week. This is compared to the Seattle metro area where you would see one on almost every block.
Its - Possessive; It's - "It is" / "It has"; There - Location; Their - Possessive; They're - "They are"
March 4th, 2013 at 5:31:30 PM
permalink
deleted
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
March 4th, 2013 at 5:34:34 PM
permalink
These people are making good points about whether randomly giving money to people is a good idea. You should purposefully give the money to someone you are sure needs it or can benefit. For example, I turn in the woman with crutches begging in the casino, but give food to the homeless kid living under the bridge.
I am a robot.
March 4th, 2013 at 5:45:00 PM
permalink
Vegas is panhandler central, I think. I can't pull into a Terrible's to gas up without someone trying to squeegee my windows for a dollar, even in upscale Summerlin. Or sometimes a guy'll come up to me when I'm gassing up, point to his car and ask me to help him put gas in his tank. Or one time a girl said she just ran out of gas and rolled into that parking spot right over there and can I give her a couple bucks for gas. Yes, I fall for it. I have added a couple bucks for their gas several times IF they look legit. I don't give them cash, but buy gas instead. One time I was washing my BMW in Summerlin, and two cute girls slowly drove past me in a 10-year-old Mercedes of all things, motioned me over and gave me some sob story and asked for $10. I guess they thought we were German car kin. Hell, they were cute with plunging necklines, so I gave 'em a $5.
I won't give cash to the bum with a cardboard sign, but will to musicians who are at least trying to entertain us. More times than I can remember do I get that "can you spare a dollar" greeting from someone who simply looks up while walking and sees me, a white, non-bum-lookin' guy. That's the most irritating to me, a common lazy opportunist. No cash for you!
I won't give cash to the bum with a cardboard sign, but will to musicians who are at least trying to entertain us. More times than I can remember do I get that "can you spare a dollar" greeting from someone who simply looks up while walking and sees me, a white, non-bum-lookin' guy. That's the most irritating to me, a common lazy opportunist. No cash for you!
"Poker sure is an easy game to beat if you have the roll to keep rebuying."
March 8th, 2013 at 11:36:47 AM
permalink
That was truly an awesome thing to do. For most people panhandling on the streets, their lives are complete hell. Anything to help them find a little bit of comfort in the day is so great
I'll give quarters and a few dollars, but couldn't bring myself to drop $500
I'll give quarters and a few dollars, but couldn't bring myself to drop $500
March 8th, 2013 at 12:21:51 PM
permalink
What, these filthy beggars aren't ENTITLED to your money?
Horrors!
Horrors!
"What, me worry?"
March 12th, 2013 at 6:14:14 PM
permalink
I know that there are legitimate, down-on-their-luck folks who need help, but at the same time I know there are people out there who are total scammers. ...like in this news story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krg5r6n0kr4
...and because of those professional panhandlers, I don't give money to any of them -- I don't believe them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krg5r6n0kr4
...and because of those professional panhandlers, I don't give money to any of them -- I don't believe them.
March 12th, 2013 at 6:33:22 PM
permalink
Quote: knaglI know that there are legitimate, down-on-their-luck folks who need help, but at the same time I know there are people out there who are total scammers. ...like in this news story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krg5r6n0kr4
...and because of those professional panhandlers, I don't give money to any of them -- I don't believe them.
The news guy estimated she was making $50 an hour tax free. The bus to Seattle must be real expensive as she never got enough money to get that ride back.
Sanitized for Your Protection
March 14th, 2013 at 11:19:25 AM
permalink
A couple of years ago John Stossel did a program on Fox News about how easy it was to make money by panhandling. He disguised himself and even told passerby that he needed the money for a beer. He did this in Manhattan, and he made about $100 a day in spite of the beer confession. He donated the money he collected to charity. 25k plus a year tax free for doing nothing sounds tempting, and have heard that some of the slick pros do much better than that.
