Should panhandling be illegal?

1. 61

   IDONOposted 10 years ago

   Should panhandling be illegal?
   
   There are stores and businesses I truly will not go to because they are so annoying and very aggressive. Should it be outlawed?

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2. 57

   PoeticFailosophyposted 10 years ago

   Business owners who let their panhandler problem get out of control are idiots and if they lose customers over it, they deserve to go out of business.  There are humane ways businesses can deter them -- and there are ways that are inhumane.  I don't think it should be illegal if they are respectful and not aggressive.  They are just part of life if you live in the city.  If I give them anything, it's usually a candy bar or something.  Don't give them money.

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   1. 61

      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'm in Akron, Ohio. Not big at all. There is a chain of gas/convenience stores that makes no attempt to stop them because they know these people will spend their proceeds there on beer, lottery or cigarettes. They don't care where money comes from.

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   2. 57

      PoeticFailosophyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I see.  Sometimes telling the business owners why you refuse to give them your business will make them change their policies.  If it's a large chain, I doubt corporate knows that the local management is letting them bother customers.

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3. 88

   NateB11posted 10 years ago

   Only if they outlaw overworking and underpaying people too; or treating people like slaves and forcing them to struggle for basic needs. Among other things that are actually a major problem.

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   1. 61

      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      At the same time, that overworked, underpaid person that works for their family should not be subjected to the harassment of a lazy bum that's begging for his next drink or smoke. This is not a management issue.

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   2. 88

      NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You would change your mind if you were the one asking for a hand out and being degraded by judgmental people. Since people are generally short-sighted they won't see that the issue is bigger than just being annoyed at a beggar. Too bad we don't see.

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   3. 61

      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Nate: If I were disabled and had to ask for help, it wouldn't be at the corner drive thru. There are places for that. The people I speak of are not disabled. This is not a judgement call. It's a glaring fact. They subject themselves to degradation.

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4. 78

   Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years ago

   I understand they tend to be aggressive in big cities like San Francisco. I had one instance where I didn't respond, and the woman insulted me. That's nothing;I read of a story where one man told a panhandler, "I'm sorry, I'm poor too," and the panhandler chased him down the block! I even heard a case over the radio where some people going to a concert parked their car in a parking lot, and a threatening-looking panhandler told them, "Give me a quarter; I'll watch your car."  All the radio announcer could say was, "Be glad you got off for only a quarter!"
   Some businesses in San Francisco and Berkeley give cards to customers which list charity organizations, and tell them to give those to panhandlers instead of money. Some of them can be quite menacing; in such places, it probably should be outlawed.

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   1. 61

      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I love the ones that ask for a handout while holding a $400 I Phone and wearing a $250 pair of Air Jordans.  Or, the dreaded "extra change". If I have "extra" change, I'll give it to my grand kids toward college.

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   2. 57

      PoeticFailosophyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      lol, we have the panhandling iPhone kids too.

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5. 75

   CraftytotheCoreposted 10 years ago

   That must be uncomfortable to go to a store where people are acting aggressive.  We don't have that problem here that I've seen, except for the inner cities.
   
   What we do have are people who stand on the grassy middles of multi-lane roads.  Sometimes they have pets with them.  They hold up signs saying they'll work for food.

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6. 61

   RealityTalkposted 10 years ago

   Why not.  Cheating taxpayers out of hard-earned money seems to be an acceptable practice by our governing elect.  Panhandling is certainly less costly to all.

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7. 78

   cebutouristspotposted 10 years ago

   We have that problem here.  Even they are outlawed the government cant do nothing about it.  Sure they sometimes show to the public that they will round them up but then what they will be set free in a couple of days.
   
   With no better alternative for panhandler they have no choice but to go back to what they are doing.
   
   Stores and businesses try their best to get rid of them but for me unless the government step in with a more permanent solution it will never stop

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8. 66

   ptosisposted 10 years ago

   
   
   It's is ALREADY illegal: So grow a spine and be thankful you are not homeless, out of work and living on air because these people are using the right to free speech.
   
   Wiki quotes: Poor Laws prohibited or regulated begging from the Renaissance to modern times...According to a report by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty that examined 188 cities, there was a 7 percent increase in prohibitions on begging or panhandling between 2009 and 2011. ,,,Panhandling on public transportation can get you a year in jail in Medford, Ore. .... Homeless advocates and the American Civil Liberties Union consider begging to be free speech, protected by the First Amendment.

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   1. 78

      Say Yes To Lifeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      In the 1980s, it was in the news that an elderly homeless man was fined $10 for digging in a dumpster. I believe he should have torn up that ticket and thrown it in the cop's face. If he went to jail for it, at least he'd have shelter!

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      NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Love it! Very well-said, ptosis.

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      IDONOposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Say Yes: I agree 100%. But that man's motive was survival and he wasn't stealing. Most in my area are motivated by a can of beer or bottle of wine. Our town is saturated with pantries and meal sites. No one goes hungry.

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