Panhandling at intersections-

does this bug anyone else? Suburbanites begging for money, bums squeegying windshields- what's the difference? Oh yes- at least the bums are offering a service to get your cash, albeit an unwanted one...

I consider myself to be charitable- I'm all for sending kids to band camp, helping churches feed the hungry, etc. but make me a cookie, wash my car, be orginal and do a dance- but EARN my money for crying out loud! begging with a bucket- puleeze. i don't care what organization i was collecting for- i would NOT just beg at a corner.

does anyone else think this should be discouraged??

 

Sign of the times girl and I believe it will get worse. Loudoun is starting to go thru a transition as we see foreclosed homes rented at cheap prices and apt rents going down and sometimes this can bring in another whole element which we have not seen in Loudoun. Not to say they are one ones begging for money at the corners, but all this goes hand and hand as the economy tanks. Don't forget there are a lot of construction people that made real good money several years ago and are on the brink of being homeless. And many of these people live in beautiful homes etc. I believe we will see the crime rate soar as the economy gets worse in Loudoun. There is no place for many people to go except the shelters and the streets. We are seeing some very tough times ahead and the increase in crime and panhandlers are part of it. Life in Loudoun may take a very different turn for a lot of years to come. Read the story that I posted on another thread about a good family that could and are on the brink of being homeless. That story is much more prevalent then you might think around here.

Lee j

 

I strongly agree that it should be discouraged. There is actually a bill under consideration in the Virginia House of Delegates (HB337) that would allow certain localities to pass ordinances prohibiting this practice. I think it would be a great idea for Loudoun County to be added to the bill -- and for our board to pass an ordinance to prohibit the practice.

The practice of roadside solicitation is dangerous for everyone because it exposes the solicitor to the danger of being struck by a vehicle, and it causes motorists to have their guard let down for people approaching their vehicles -- some of which could have criminal intent (i.e. carjacking, robbery, etc.) More significantly, once we "donate" money, we really don't know where it will end up.

 

EXACTLY. very savvy con men will invest in whatever license you need to beg at a corner and make tons of money off of our loose change and spare singles- TAX FREE. they can always lie about how much they've collected.

Lee- I don't mean homelss people- we routinely buy and extra coffee or donut or sandwich when in those areas, and give food to those folks.

I mean organizations who choose to beg rather than ACT to raise money. The only one I have ever given to was the firemen with the boot. The others- is it really going to a church or to needy folks? I don't know, so I won't part with even a nickel. And quite frankly, i don't care if it IS a bona fide charity. begging for your cause is just- low.

but... Let's hypothetical a moment: the sheer numbers are amazing on what you can earn begging in an hour- at a decent intersection, let's say the light lasts 2 full minutes. let's say only 3 cars donate $1 at each light rotation. in an hour, there are 30 rotations. $90 an hour and that is a CONSERATIVE NUMBER not counting the handfuls of change. WAY more profitable than a carwash, and no over head but a few old buckets.... hmmmm.

know what- I have changed my mind. I am going to make up a charity a quit my day job. lose some dignity and morality and panhandle for a living.

 

I am surprised that the fire department does their "pass the boot" at intersections. Doesn't seem like the safest way to go about getting contributions.

 

it's SO effective- seeing the coats and hats, 9-11 images, i guess in my mind they work hard enough that i've been happy to drop a buck in the boot for them, a bit hypocritical of me i guess, since the panhandling itself really bugs me. from now on i will go to the firehouse with healthy treats (i think Sunny suggested that once awhile back) and my husband just told me we always donate when we get the envelope int he mail.

I am officially through giving any panhandlers any money, no matter the cause.

 

I think Redon was talking about the high school kids out today collecting for charity.

Nothing to do with forclosures, flex building, homeless or poor architectural design.

 

Am I missing something or are you talking about the PSU students collecting money for cancer? They have done this periodically for years now. Having lost many people, including my Dad, to cancer, I don't see what the issue is. If you don't want to give, don't. They're college kids, not high school kids.

 

yes, i am- they sparked my renewed distaste for the "begging for charity" panhandling in this area. They, and anyone else who panhandles instead of DOING something to raise money. the PURPOSE is not the issue- the METHOD of fund raising is. some of these panhandlers (not today) are aggressive, yelling, knocking on your window- why do I have to be harrassed for money just b/c I am at a stop light?

the choice to give or not is NOT the issue either- the fact that they are allowed to DO it at all bugs me. would homeless ppl be run off of LoCo street corners for begging? if the ansewer if yes- then NO ONE should be allowed to beg- regardless of their intentions.

i just feel there are more dignified and trustworthy ways to raise money than begging for it. who's to say that every person doing this is honest? CHUCK NORRIS stole from his own charity- what's to stop someone from emptying part of a bucket into their pocket and giving the rest to cancer?

i don't KNOW these people begging at the corners, so i can neither malign nor vouch for their character. but i CAN choose to use more trustworthy ways to support a charity.

Gregg- I have lost 6 people in my family to cancer and am high risk for breast cancer myself, so i understand a charity close to the heart- that has ZERO to do with it. i'm not trusting a bunch of strangers begging at stop lights to do the right thing with my money- how much of what they collect even GOES to cancer research/assistance? 5%? 100%?

 

Perhaps if they would have offered you a cookie or done a dance you would open your window and give a dollar. How much money you give to band camp or a church go to the the charity? Who really knows. But, equating college kids collecting donations for cancer to a homeless guy washing you window is a silly argument. Maybe having them come bang on your door would be better? For me, as long as they do it for a few hours on a Saturday, I don't have a problem with it. If you think it's ridiculous, then well....everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right?

 

panhandling is panhandling- don't care who, dont care why- it's still the laziest form of fundraising EVER. and yes if they had baked cookies for donations or danced- absolutely i would not object. in the city we pay talented street performers without a problem. we buy cookies, donuts and popcorn we don't need and just bring to work for friends to support charities and organizations.

regarding opinions- absolutely. that's what this forum is for and aaalll about! we can agree to disagree, no problem there since we both firmly believe in what we feel- and part ways as friendly forum junkies.

it's always good to hear the other side of the argument.

 

I don't mean to be picky, but Chuck Norris didn't actually steal the money--the former chief executive of Chuck Norris' martial arts program for inner-city children pleaded guilty to stealing from the charity, not Chuck himself. Chuck Norris rocks! http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/

 

i must have read an article prior to a retraction or correction- he was apologizing personally- maybe it was on behalf of the scumbags who stole.

 

Im with you...its just begging...

I can just imagine being at the fundraising meeting...
Um bake sale? ....no we'd have to cook
Raffle? No, we'd have to get prizes and tickets
Run a dance? No we'd have to rent a room, get a band, etc.

How about if we just hang out at the corners and get unsuspecting drivers to feel guilty?

Yeah! That's the ticket!

 

When I lived in Boston, a charity called the Jimmy Fund would ask for donations in the movie theaters. Right after the lights went down a short film about the charity would come on and then people would go up and down the aisles with buckets asking for money! While I think the charity was a good one, I hated that.

 

While there may not be a specific law or ordinance against collecting at intersections, there is a law against trespassing. Technically, VDOT owns the property and the rights of way. if VDOT wanted to, they could press charges for trespassing - of course they do not have the time or desire to do so (Don't get me started on the SPAM road signs people use to advertise).

Not to mention the fact that they are a hazard to themselves and traffic. either they will get injured, or distract someone and cause an accident. Has anyone contacted the Sheriffs office about these folks ?

In general this practice also bugs me on multiple levels and I do not think it should be allowed. there are many other ways to raise money for your cause that are mroe effective and safe. I am all for charity, but quite frankly the fact that someone is outside asking for it on the side of the road is not goingto make me want to donate. I can donate to the causes I feel that need it when and where I want.

 

well said. how would citizens go about getting an ordinance looked into and PASSED? IS stevens Miller the guy to contact...?

 

sounds like loitering would be more appropriate than trespassing

 

I agree VDOT would not press charges, and you are correct that it must be posted - i know this is at least true on private property - not sure about state owned land.

Unfortunately, the trespassing issue prevents me from removing SPAM signs.

Best folks to contact are our local supervisors: http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=990

Jim Burton has been very supportive in my road spam soapbox.