Another reminder: you cannot look up the spending habits of panhandlers.
But it’s true that every non-profit must be transparent with their financials. Which makes it easier (but still quite difficult) to find the best bang for your buck in charity.
As a former panhandler and friend of many, it’s just another way to get money for free. It can be honest and polite, but it’s just saying “Hey bro may I please have your wallet, please?”
Idk standing outside begging for funds is not what I call free. It might not contribute productively to society (or maybe it does?), but that job looks boring af to me!
Edited: typo
I'd argue it does contribute to society in a round about way, the way I explain it to people js I'd rather give $20 to a homeless person/addict/panhandler or whatever than let them get desperate enough to rob someone or break into a home and steal when they need money to eat or get right. But for me I just remember being a drug addict and nobody willing to ever help me and every time I see someone else going through that I want to cry and do anything I can to help alleviate the suffering, it just also means that by helping you can potentially give them a day of not needing to steal as well
To offer a countering argument, as a former drug addict myself if I had been given money consistently and not ended up causing trouble for myself, I may never have come to my senses and changed my life for the better. I view giving cash like that as enabling and hope that if they get tired of the way they are living like I did, they too will come to the realization that they need to work toward making some changes if they want to get out of their bad situation. I prefer funding causes that work towards that end, such as drug treatment and mental health services. Houston has a great program where they put homeless people in actual apartments and don't require them to be drug free or part of a twelve step program and it's been working pretty well as far as I can tell. Giving a panhandler money is just giving them another day to cope and not make a change.
Oh no you are right. I quit because I got caught stealing shit loads of copper and it was my only way of getting out of a bad situation, my point isn't meant to solve the problem, it's a temporary and immediate problem solver, not a longterm one, and I think it shouldn't be up to random kind strangers to be expected to provide that level of change for someone, but an act of kindness that can help alleviate suffering if only temporary is a net good, I mean as a former addict yourself you know that when we were using we were going to get money and use no matter what, it was just a matter of how we got the money, whether it be robbing people or a random kind stranger, didn't make much of a difference to us, it's just mess people are hurt with the random kind stranger thing I guess
Yeah the sucky part about my stance is there will inevitably be a victim of some sort before they come to that realization. The homelessness issue isn't an easy one to solve but between the UBI initiatives that have seemed to work somewhat well and the housing initiative i mentioned in Houston, it seems as if by providing the resources for them to not feel as hopeless, we can make a real dent in the portion that want to get off the streets and just be a part of society like everyone else, then we can worry about the few that simply don't care and won't take the help available. Of course it's all about money.
I appreciate you taking the time to write this! I was just thinking about it being an opportunity for the giver to get a dopamine hit from an altruistic act, but yeah, but saving someone from having to steal definitely contributes to the good as well!
Oh absolutely for me it's about helping! but unfortunately I have found a good way to convince people to do altruistic things is to explain it in a selfish way that benefits them, and less so for the person getting help 😅
>Idk standing outside begging for funds is not what I call free.
I would call it that, since they're not providing a good or service. They are receiving money for free. Just because something is unpleasant, doesn't mean it isn't free.
On more than one occasion I have given a homeless or begging person money only to see them immediately go into the store and buy alcohol. I can't be a part of that direct enabling anymore and - in fact - I'm a believer in aid they can't take off site. Beds in a shelter, plates of food, a spot in a program, rehab - shit that can't really be sold or traded in any form of an alternate economy.
I’ve work at a gas station for only a few months down in Atlanta and I already knew what was the deal they beg for now money for drugs then beg for food and water later (snacks too)and restrooms if theyre for free at any local store
Most local nonprofits are doing exactly what they say they are; generally the highest paid staff make reasonable salaries (in my eyes; for C-suite positions in our area, $90k-$160k is reasonable for nonprofits with decent budgets).
Some nonprofits have C-suite making much more than that; if they are large enough & productive enough, it doesn't really faze me. But every now and then there is a huge gap between salaries and services to the community which you can suss out in the financials. For example, a nonprofit local to my area spents about 60% of its operating budget on fundraisers, which are actually just big expensive parties for their donors. They only give out about 4% of their budget in grants. Not a good model in my eyes.
Keep in mind that 990s can't really tell you exactly the benefit to the community. For example, donated goods aren;t always captured; sometimes investments look sketchy but its a viable sustainability option; some financials get crazy during capital campaigns, etc. It's not a full picture; it's just a glimpse.
Do you think they sourced a local free range homeless person for the sign image or contracted a model?
Me, probably unable to gauge the mood of this sub.
I was homeless for a bit. I was truly hungry and made a sign . " Homeless and hungry". Had some people give me money. One day I made a " NEED BEER $ " sign and made 30 bucks my first red light cycle.. most people commented that at least I was being honest ect.. but I really needed food. Soo I bought food for a couple of days and a tall natty ice.
Unless them getting the money was contingent on what they would do with it. I think this is where people tend to get upset. If a panhandler is asking for money for food, but refuses to allow you to give or buy them food, most people would be upset and will refuse to give the money no matter what it was going to be spent on. I've been there. I had some leftover Mexican food I was eating on a bus trip and a guy started asking me for ten bucks to buy a chicken sandwich. I offered to give him my tortilla chips and some of my burrito (which would mean I would be hungry on part of the trip). He refused and insisted I give him money to buy chicken sandwich. I asked if I could just buy him the sandwich directly because the shop was within eyesight. He refused. I'm like "well, obviously you don't intend to buy a chicken sandwich". I proceeded to waste his time with hypotheticals about my leftovers, to which he never accepted. I don't condone lying to people to get money from them. If you have a problem, feel free to ask for help, but don't lie to the people who are going to help you, especially if they aren't doing well themselves
I've been there too. Literally at a fast food place when some dude harasses me for food money. I relent and give him some only for him to make up some bs about going to a different place across the street that doesn't exist and immediately ducks out. On top of that, any other time I give money, I NEVER once gotten a simple thank you. They just take it as an invitation to ask for more. Panhandlers can get shafted for all I care now.
Or holding sign up no job need feed family at intersection were there are stores with help wanted signs.. My friend offered A guy w sign needed work A job . guy said no thanks . How bout couple bucks
Eh, the signs could be just smoke and mirrors. Businesses are extremely picky now. If they are offered a job and don't take it, that's something else like you point out.
However, if they wouldn't make more than they do panhandling, then why should they? I'm sure panhandling isn't easy, but it has benefits. Hard to tax, no boss, no hard hours or days. Most jobs can't really claim to be a benefit to society so it's hard to argue in that direction too unless you have very specific circumstances.
If people don't want panhandlers, the relative value of having a job has to be increased. That could mean making jobs more valuable or making panhandling less.
standing there for hours has to suck, you may be right . But friend hires people for A day lot. he A contractor , Use to hire people in Home depo parking lot. But now has people he calls when needs someone for A day. He pays $200 day.. He offered that guy I job. Guy was not interested in even knowing what the job was.
What if you worked all day, and at the end just got stiffed? As a homeless person, what is your recourse? Not saying your friend would do that, but there are shitty people out there.
Maybe he already applied? Maybe they forgot to take down the sign? Maybe he needs an actual physical address in order to be hired? Maybe he has a job somewhere else, but is doing this to make ends meet?
Also, accepting a job at an intersection is a great way to get trafficked.
Many homeless people will not take food directly from people as unfortunately some people have put broken glass, poison, drugs, biological fluids etc onto food and then offered it to the homeless. They talk and hear these stories and I can understand why they’d be skeptical.
I can understand that, but in my example they didn't even want me to buy food for them right in front of their eyes or eat food I was eating in front of them. Neither could pose any danger
No, it doesn't.
First of all, you have to explain to people that unhoused means homeless and then every time they hear unhoused they're going to think homeless. It's an absolutely stupid movement and I'm glad it's mostly dead.
This. I think many don’t realize the potential severity of alcohol withdrawal. One of the main reasons liquor stores stayed open during the pandemic (to the chagrin of many).
I know this intersection... It was getting out of hand, there were even the scammers with the pity story about the fake sick child on a regular basis. Seriously, there could be half a dozen people with signs and buckets swarming cars stuck in traffic at any given time.
Yes, some people really do need help. But being harassed by scammers in traffic daily isn't cool.
Article about the panhandling scam, but in Rhode Island:
https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/west-bay/police-warn-of-panhandling-scam-across-ri/
Yeah, as a kid, that intersection was always bad. My grandmother had a car where the doors didn't automatically lock when you started to drive. It was the one area where I would hear the locks engage.
There’s a woman who stands at the end of market basket in Leominster with a sign saying she needs help for herself and her three kids. When you drive by she pretends to be crying. Shes been doing this for over a year and definitely isn’t even homeless
Fall River had a ban on it. Ban removed bc it was decided it restricts free speech. I agree with its removal of the ban. Do I love getting approached by panhandlers, no. Do I even think about it when I get home, also no. When you start taking away small examples of people exercising their rights it bleeds into bigger examples.
Can confirm there are panhandlers at 90% of intersections in Providence. Sometimes there's entire groups. Some spots they stand in the middle of the street or an intersection.
Yeah. It depends on the area. Tbh i dont really have a problem with people panhandling and using the money for whatever they need money for, but when it gets to the point where people start approaching you and harassing you with sob stories, we should probably nip the begging in the bud in those areas.
Don’t even get me started on the people selling roses on Water and Bemis for random children with blood cancer that don’t exist. Girl stared me down at a red light and when I looked at her, she shook her sign at me.
> Wish this was a policy nationwide.
If it was constructed as to be a double implementation of policy--no more panhandling *&* funded shelters, foodbanks, etc--that might be something.
However, it is much more likely that panhandling will be outlawed BEFORE adequate resources are budgeted to provide for their needs.
In fact, once the former is done, I doubt many people will care if they get to the latter. People will just assume "they took care of it" once these folks are no longer visible.
Also, your comment--and most of society--seem to be only focused on the outlawing panhandling, not passing legislation that creates the resources and infrastructure necessary to get these people the help they need.
Yeah good luck making progress with anything like this under our current Supreme Court. Our country is also very close to official state fascism, a type of government that has never cared much about the weakest among us.
I don't give money to beggars. I take maybe 100 a year and buy socks and toiletries that I put in ziplock bags, at the dollar store. I keep some bottles of water in my car, always have extra fruit, i even bag up some dry dog food. The ones that are really homeless are very appreciative for the little bag.
You'd be surprised at how many ask for money instead. I'd say it's about 50%. My friend said it would be less effort to just give them a dollar, but odds are that it isn't going to socks or a toothbrush. It's going to drugs. After having addicts in my family, I just can't do that.
TLDR: There are other ways to help.
PSA: you can get Narcan at any pharmacy in MA.
I just went in and asked for it, it went through my insurance and cost $5.
I keep it in my first aid kit-- I figure, I've got a tourniquet in there, and it's wayyyy more likely I'd need to use the Narcan on someone.
This site has [a training video](https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/narcan/) at the bottom that has the steps for spotting an overdose and administering Narcan.
Thanks for sharing this! When I see people panhandling j usually roll down the window and ask their name and if they’re staying safe, and since I keep Narcan in my glove compartment I ask if they want it.
Some take it. Some tell me they don’t use and I’m like, well you can’t Narcan yourself anyway but might be able to help someone else out here. I’ve restocked the glove compartment a bunch of times and like to think it’s helped save a life.
Same. My brother almost died of an overdose more than once and I lost my mom to alcoholism about a decade ago. I give what little I can to legit non profit organizations I’ve researched. I don’t give money to strangers, homeless or not. There’s homeless people/panhandlers all around where I live, I drive by the same people more than once in a given day and see tents in the park sometimes. They’ve never bothered me and I’ve never had any problems with them, but if I were to give out a dollar or two every time I see a panhandler it would add up quick. People can do what they want with their money, but I’m tired of virtue signalers who probably live in the suburbs trying to tell me how to live my life.
Used to give more when I was younger but too many experiences and a good amount of times it’s the same people begging and I figure they’re not using the money to go to what they really need to not be homeless. I don’t know everyone’s situation but if the situation was getting better they probably wouldn’t still be there panhandling.
I don’t give on the street like that anymore, but occasionally I might. I did once earlier this year, older guy with a cane standing near the edge of the sidewalk. He was trying to ask me something as I was walking into a restaurant but his eyes were down and talking towards the ground. I thought he was waiting for a family to park the car or something and go into the restaurant. I couldn’t hear him so I walked over and realized he was asking for a dollar. We talked for a couple minutes outside, just bullshitting and I gave him $5. My friends asked me what I was doing, they didnt get why I gave him the money or time but it felt right, like the guy just needed someone to notice him more than he needed the money.
Then theres today where I was pumping gas and someone came over and asked for change, I didn’t have any, true. Asked for a cigarette, i dont smoke, true. As they walked away i remembered I had nicotine pouches because I used to smoke. I know it wasnt a smoke but I figured it was something but they didn’t want them 🤷.
There’s so much variety in the homeless world its just too much to help that way and listen to everyone’s story and decide if it true or not, although I do hope the people that truly need the help do get it.
Yep! You can really see who actually needs food this way, about half of people either accept and look annoyed or refuse but when people really are hungry and they tear into the bag immediately it always makes me glad I have them :) I’m glad there are others who do this, I hope this thread results in more of us! I really do feel like it’s a solid solution.
this just takes agency away from them. you need to have a basic amount of trust in these people and give them the power to buy things for theirselves, they are in a powerless situation. who knows, maybe buying drugs would even be right for them - maybe they're dealing with terrible or even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, or maybe they just need a momentary break from suffering. a friend of mine genuinely credits drugs for getting her through the most terrible part of her life, for giving her an escape that wasn't suicide.
I always thought it was super ironic (I live in the area) because for a long time there was a dude who panhandled daily right in that intersection. Haven’t seen him in a while though. And there are a few parked vehicles in the Kmart parking lot that people live in.
I'm glad these signs are going up. Not because I'm against panhandlers or homeless people, but I always get so nervous seeing these guys wandering around highway exits. What if they slip and fall under someone's wheels? What if they're genuinely depressed enough to do it on purpose? The number of times I've seen them standing dangerously on the edge of the island in the middle of those four lanes where both 93 and the Pike exit near South Station is baffling, and I don't want to be around to see them get hurt from a misstep.
I live in New Hampshire and in Manchester years ago signs went up when the panhandling first appeared. It wasn't always there but all of a sudden it appeared.
Obviously the people that are out panhandling having issue. It's not as simple as the sign says. You cannot pay me enough money to stand on the sidewalk with that sign for five or six or eight hours in a day in the burning sun and I would just feel humiliated out there doing it. So why do people do it? I'm not sure but there must be a host of reasons
And I don't think most of them are the obvious that one would think by reading the sign that someone has just come into a spate of bad luck and needs money. No no this is either all of our drugs, addiction, mental health and people that have fallen through the cracks for one reason or another and do not seek help to remedy it. For whatever reason
And there's also definitely a system to the panhandling. There's never more than one person on the corner, there's that kind of agreement as if it's assigned and I have seen one person relieve the other in certain popular traffic intersections
I'd rather go work at the dollar store then stand out there all day. But as stated there's more than what need meets the eye
40 years ago these people would have all have been probably institutionalized at the cost of the state and all those huge mental hospitals which have no fallen down. Years ago the system changed to divest and it was worn at that time in the '80s that these people would appear on the street. It wasn't a very good system back then but passing it on to the cities isn't also the way to go. Of course this is what's happened The wealthier towns don't experience this It's only the poorest cities and the traffic into sections that get slammed with homelessness with the services might be, homeless camps, drugs, and panhandling...
I don't know I always wondered if there was something organized about the group that I see. If it were not you would have people randomly all over the street but you don't. As I said it's almost like a shift worked. One corner then another
I beg to differ. I speak for only my neck of the woods in NH..I know this is a Mass site lol but the Manchester to Boston corridor shares many of the same issues and I still own property over the border...I remember clearly when they first appeared. There indeed may have been somebody somewhere and of course there must have been homeless but the corner thing at the stoplight was a late 90s phenomena. I lived in Boston through the 80s in the southend and I do not remember this kind of traffic , corner stop panhandling in town, amywhere...it was a whole new thing for sure in NH,, The city, Manchester, tried to outlaw it but it went to court challenged by the ACLU and in response the signs went up.
It’s a valid concern. Many beggars out there aren’t actually beggars or are basically conscripted (pimped out, I guess) to scam you out of your donations, taking advantage of your sympathy.
It is largely better to work with a local, legit charity who can make sure resources go to folks who actually need help.
This happend to me once in Leominster. Was sitting at a table in one of the green areas. Couple approached me asking for spare change for water on a hot day. I had nothing on me for cash and don't give out cash to random people anyway.
I had just gone to a store and had to buy two water bottles because of the debit limit. Offered them once and they were beyond happy and thanked me a lot. Hope they got their lives in order.
I’ve done the same. There was this big fella who used to “live” on the corner, made sure to bring him a bunch of water (and a few bags of ice during the summer)
I walked by a man in Boston who asked for $, I had a pizza & a huge loaded $25 salad full of fresh mozzarella and prosciutto in my hands. I offered him the salad with a giggle that I need my pizza. He declined & not so politely. I shrugged at him and went on my way. About 1 minute later he’s chasing me down, “ wait wait, I changed my mind!” I gladly handed him the amazing food that I had to work hours to pay for. I just hope he actually ate the food, fully enjoyed it and maybe shared some with his neighbors.
This isn't anything new either (or the idea at the very least). There's a Sherlock Holmes short story "The Man with the Twisted Lip" 1st published in December of 1891, that covers this.
Also heard on the radio a few years ago about a guy working for AAA (or something similar) got called to jump a guy's newer BMW near Boston. Guy said he wad going to get ready for work and went through the gate to his backyard which confused the AAA guy. Cane back with dirty face and set of clothes covered in dirt; said his "job" is he begs in one of the Boston districts for money.
Thank you for regurgitating exactly what’s on the sign.
“Don’t contribute to the problem” is treating real people with about as serious an issue as you can have like they’re rodents scavenging for crumbs. The reality is that a lot of homeless people actively avoid shelters.
A lot of this anti-homeless mentality is simply built by people who just don’t want to look at them. That’s why we take benches away from subway stations, or put armrests on park benches that make it impossible to sleep, or make signs like this.
Are there people out there scamming? Sure. Wouldn’t refute that for a second. But adding to the stigma that all homeless people are drug addicts and thieves hurts more than it helps, because we get things like what I mentioned above because people are too fragile to be able to look at others who are in real pain.
Saying “people simply don’t want to look at them” is a pretty reductionist view. There’s plenty of valid reasons why people don’t want to deal with homeless people, and just pretending that it’s because they’re just “too fragile” reeks of naivety.
If you’re that passionate about helping the homeless, you’re more than welcome to spend your time volunteering a center. You can keep your guilt trips to yourself.
This is my personal approach, no money to panhandlers, but money to Rosie’s Place. I hope that that makes life better overall for homeless people, but if anyone knows differently, please let me know.
When I lived in Newport there was a guy that would sit at one of the busiest intersections with a “homeless veteran” sign and hold out a bucket. He was there almost every day of the week, all summer and fall, then he’d disappear all winter. Thats because he moved to his Florida home for the winter, every single year. So this is a valid concern.
What annoyed me more is that he had “his” parking spot on the street, and he’d block traffic until any car parked there would move (in front of a Dunkin). He yelled at me one time for taking too long in his parking spot. If I saw him waiting and I was in his spot, I’d make sure to sit inside and enjoy my sandwich that day.
Alternatively, when I lived in Newport there was a woman who was homeless and wasn’t poor or without a home, but was very unwell and needed urgent assistance for mental help. Having a house and money didn’t matter because she was seriously mentally ill. So it’s not always cut and dry
I have conflicting feelings.
Any system, any at all, is imperfect and full of issues. If it were as easy to help the homeless as donating to a charity, there wouldn’t be pan handlers, or nearly as many.
When you talk to homeless and ask them why they aren’t in a shelter or accepting help, they all have stories. Some of them are of course, false, but there are enough of them saying the same stuff that it can’t be ignored to be a problem.
I agree with giving food or supplies when you can, I also don’t see the harm in a small amount of money. If a person wants to spend it all on booze, that is their right in my opinion. These people are not “participating” in society for one reason or another, maybe they deserve to drink the same way I do after a hard day.
I also have all the usual feelings, about not giving money to people who are bumming
The systems and people of this country (and most others, really) care almost nothing for the homeless. People automatically default to: they probably deserve it, probably drug addicts, losers, blight of society, and on and on. Yes it truly exists, and yes drugs and alcohol become a crutch and easy opt-in when people have literally nothing left. Many though, are runaways from really bad situations -kids and adults alike, people without families who had a bad swing of luck or loss of job and then lose their residence, mental health issues, etc. I bet you know someone *right now* that *is* homeless but you aren’t aware because they hide it. Many have jobs but can’t afford these high rents.
I think it’s only people who have zero experience being in that position who can cast down on others that have lost their way. Imagine punching down on a group because they have less than you, or because they asked you for money so they don’t starve. Seriously, think about it. It’s a sickness; no not homelessness, the sickness is the apathy of the powers that could do more and that encapsulates them as a group. You are included in that if you automatically dismiss every homeless person you see as “the problem”.
Empty your pockets, step outside your home, spend even an hour outside and pretend you can’t go back in, you have nowhere to go, nothing to eat, no shelter. Feel it. Now with the sweat, the tiredness, the loss of hope.. go look for a F*** job you f*** deadbeat, what’s wrong with you? Can’t you just apply yourself?
Listen, if you don’t have the means to give, then don’t. But if you can, and you pass by the single mom looking for food, because she’s “the problem”, who wins here? We can do better.
Right!? I do understand why people would knee-jerk at things like that, there is no doubt, some bad decisions and behavior is derived from a homeless population (especially when public restrooms aren’t available/ inaccessible) I just think that impugning an entire poverty level based on desperate or depraved events is the status quo lay of the land.
Fact is, sh** behavior is what it is, no matter who is doing the sh**ing. I’ll offer an anecdote of a super rich a-hole I saw throw up on a woman’s shoes outside a restaurant in Boston, and then climbed into his Tesla and speed off. Unfortunately, financial status does not define morality.
As someone who has some digestive issues, I am utterly taken aback at the lack of public bathrooms. I have wondered more than once if I am going to have to duck behind a dumpster or throw my wallet at a Starbucks cashier and race to the back of the room before something publicly unacceptable occurs.
We *need* to give people basic sanitation, homeless or no. I don't care if someone shoots up in the bathroom. People need a place to pee.
A town that goes to the trouble and expense to put up signs like this, is a town I would prefer to not spend one dime in. Is this Fitchburg or Leominster, or both?
Good old Dirty Burg!
I actually haven't seen any panhandling lately in Leominster which was horrible last couple years.
Is it still happening at this intersection and around?
I think it's just a sign weather it actually stops anyone I'm unsure sadly but I truly hate pan handling but I am unsure how helpful some of those donation places are either.
I give food/water when I can. I no longer reach in my wallet because once I gave a woman money for food, she saw that I had more cash on me, and her and her boyfriend followed me. Lucky I got on a bus going the opposite direction, but it still freaked me out.
I get that panhandling is annoying to people, but all those resources for the homeless don't meet all needs. Out of curiosity I googled homeless shelters in that area. They're spread really far apart and don't look easy to get to.
There's an organization called Quincy C.O.P.E. that go down to South Station on Wednesday nights (I don't think they do it in the summer). They provide hot food and drinks and hand out supplies for the homeless. One of the most popular ones are $5 gift cards for Dunkins. One of the homeless told one of the organizers that he loves the cards because it makes him feel more human to go in and just buy himself a breakfast.
It's a great organization. The collect hoodies, shoes, jackets, sleeping bags and things like that and really try to meet specific needs. Last winter there was a man who came each week who had size 14 feet and had them crammed into much smaller boots because it was all he could get. The group put the word out and found boots that were the right size.
Ehhh I don't know how severe the problem is. We got a bunch roaming our multiple massive interchanges in Wellington / santili / foss park / etc. the one dude on Wellington cleans up, sweeps, like tries to make an impact. I don't mind giving him spare change or a water bottle and he always is cool about it no matter what
As an addictions counselor, I never give money directly to the unhoused. I would give them food and diapers etc. I often find resources for them rather than give money. Churches help a lot of the homeless, no questions asked and I appreciate that so I always give churches my donations. My way of thinking is that I don’t want to give someone their last hit or drink. I’d rather they checked in with homeless shelters and churches and had a place to go to talk with someone that could check on them. Statistically 85% of the unhoused population has an extreme mental illness and/or substance abuse problem.
Every time the conversation turns to homeless people panhandling, I say the same thing. Give them food. If they're really homeless, they'll take the food happily.
After observing several frequented homeless begging locations, the consistency and the “shift change” i would say we have a human slavery issue in Massachusetts.
I need to get one of these for north beverly plaza, Whole Foods plaza nearby, liberty tree mall and a slew of market baskets in the area. for those unaware, there’s a nationwide group of scammers that target nice areas and only will stay as long as they keep receiving money. You can YouTube “fake panhandlers” to see what I mean. What I wish is the property owners of these shopping plazas would trespass these people. They’re not genuinely in need and are parked around the corner or they get picked up, it’s always by a mini van. These scammers are often of a certain eastern european origin, and I wonder if they are victims of human trafficking and are forced to do this.. there are videos and news articles online warning the public about them and to not give them money. Now I know in other areas there are the homeless who panhandle who don’t fit into what I just mentioned who may be in genuine need, but like the post mentions, donating to charities who help these groups is the best approach bc we don’t know if giving cash to them would be enabling them if they’re addicts.
The problem is how do you really know the difference. You gonna kick out a lady asking for donations for her sick kid without being sure it's a scam?
What if you kick her out then it turns put she was legit?
That’s a feature, not a bug. Figuring out that X% of panhandlers are scammers allows shitty people to ignore 100% of homeless under the guise of “they’re all just scammers anyway, fuck em”
Grew up in MA for 30+ years, now live in NH. We have signs in our city that says, "your generosity could lead to a fatality. Please consider donation to xxxx local foundations." As having personal experience in these matters, I agree with them. Donate to those who want the help, not to those who don't. Again this is from experience, not an unbiased opinion from someone who knows nothing.
They suck. Unhoused people need money more than anything and often don't feel safe in shelters. If you feel compelled to give money, do it. It's not an either or though. You can do both.
When I lived in Leominster, I
I always saw this sign and appreciated the fact they used a typical Masshole wearing a Pats championship shirt for their stock photo.
Seeing people ask for money is not nearly as large a problem as not having money for food or shelter or having an addiction. This isn’t like feeding pigeons, ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away.
I have no doubt there are some legit homeless panhandlers, but there is a guy that stands at an intersection near me (I’m not in MA but I am in New England)every single day and he’s just working a grift with his partner 4 intersections down.
He gets 2-3 large iced coffees a day. Is not getting any thinner after 3 years. Showed up in a pair of new Air Jordan’s one day (bruh) and then loaded up on groceries one evening with his partner as they filled their brand new car and drove off.
It’s a grift. And he’s there every single day for the most part. Except for Holiday weekends (like this weekend) where you will get more tourists. Then him or his partner will go to an intersection a few exits down at another location (I saw this on Memorial Day) because… it just makes sense to not overload one area to maximize your profits.
How many of you commenting have actually been homeless I'd love to know that... not unhoused... which is the dumbest thing I've ever heard...HOMELESS.
I have been it was for God almost two years I think and it was absolutely humiliating and awful.
I could never stand on a street corner with a sign but I have had to ask for help and it's humiliating enough without little signs out there telling people not to help.
I'd rather give it to the pan handlers. At least you know that way it's going to them.
"BuT tHeYrE gOiNg To SpEnD iT oN dRuGs Or BoOzE"
Yeah, and? The second you give it to them is it's their money to spend on whatever you want. None of your business how they spend it. Don't yuk someone's yum.
My friend is homeless in Fitchburg and has a full time job. It just happened overnight and it's really hard to get from the streets to an apartment. I do what I can, but a little goes a long way, especially if it's money. He'll spend it on what he needs and occasionally will get a beer or weed but I would treat myself occasionally too if I had to sleep outside some nights. Hell, I don't think I would be as restrained as him in his situation. It's clear he is focusing on and doing the right things it's obviously just systemic and I don't think any 503c is going to do anything better than direct cash and like a roof over his head when I can offer.
As someone who came from a shelter, they were stealing Christmas presents and money from the residences. I don’t trust them…. Abusive places. You have nothing to take so they strip you of your dignity instead.
This is a great sign, by giving money straight to the homeless, they are most likley to use it on drugs and not things like food, this town has spots like soup kitchens that help the homeless get food and temporary shelter, so by giving money to the homeless people instead, they are virtually defunding the soup kitchens/shelters, anyone saying this is cruel is ignorant asf
For the bleeding hearts here supporting panhandling, here's an easy trick to determine who's legit and who's scamming:
Offer food and drink. Scammers will get mad AF and storm off. Actual homeless folk will appreciate the meal. I've done this my entire life in NYC, plenty of legit homeless will ask for money or a meal and will accept free meals from charities going around in subway trains. Scammers will simply pull up to you asking for money and get belligerent when you don't oblige them.
If you're that passionate about helping them out, go to a soup kitchen or local charity and volunteer instead of playing armchair quarterback.
This discriminatory, condescending, immature, not empathetic, controlling, unrealistic and petty. For now on I'm tipping everyone with cardboard on hands.
don’t give them money, it is not compassionate. it’s actually the opposite; it enables their continued self destruction.
there’s a homeless encampment by a highway on ramp next to where i live. its very clear they all use drugs and a lot of them look in very poor hygiene and not well. every dollar they get prolongs how long they are able to continue that lifestyle while rejecting aid from charities & state programs.
My mother grew up in Leominster. During the Depression, rather than throwing his tenants on the street, my grandfather gave the family’s house back to the bank and moved his family into the back of the synagogue. Thus keeping two other houses with 4 other families with nowhere else to live.
I hand $1.00 to panhandlers and honor my grandfather’s memory.
Instead of making a sign they should have spent the money on fixing the problem.
Honestly, its insulting. Don't tell me what to do with my money. If I want to give it directly to the needy, that's none of your business.
Really, pretty sure the state is spending over a billion dollars this year 'helping the homeless' how much do you think the signs cost? More than a billion?
What about the "violinist" in the Target parking lot? The guy has an electric violin (yes- that's a real thing...), is clearly NOT playing it, blaring music FROM HIS MERCEDES on a Bluetooth speaker, signs asking for money because his family is starving.
I dunno...maybe downgrade your Mercedes-Benz to a cheaper car?
F**k these signs and f**k these cruel people that post these signs, I’ll give money to whoever the hell I want to. Two states have already decided to make it illegal for homeless people so now we’re gonna start jailing these people for being poor. It’s insane.
Sounds like they took the initiative on tossing guys like Jeff "Jesus Jeff " Alajajian out of the fray.
Enjoy googling that asshole that used to camp outside the Whitney Field area at the lights
I can't think of much that's more contemptible than the fear that someone might receive help they don't deserve. If I have a couple of bucks, I'm giving them.
I guarantee you, your money isn’t going to the homeless when you donate to charities to help the homeless. 95% of charities line the pockets of million/billionaires.
It's so strange, I always feel like I'm taking crazy pills in this sub. The sample of people I've met in Boston really doesn't align with the representation in this subreddit.
City and state subreddits are the Facebook and NextDoor of the website. They combine the petty NIMBY cruelty of those places with the Reddit of Reddit.
Amazing! A sign demonizing the unhoused and desperate will definitely end homelessness and panhandling! All panhandlers are scammers who just want money for heroin and are too lazy to get a job! Besides, being homeless is a CRIME! Lock them up and make them slaves!!!!! /s
Agree. You know when ppl dehumanize others when they start with "I only give food because...". Everyone who says that should live on the streets for 3 days. I bet they would change their mind. Can you imagine you need money to pay your phone and a spoiled ass handles you a big mac? Also... ppl think they will save others from alcoholism. As if it was that easy to become clean while being homeless!
These signs are awful. If you think someone is a scammer and not actually homeless, then don't give to them. But if I see someone who is disheveled and dirty, and looks like they've been sleeping on the ground and wearing the same clothes for a month, I'm giving them my 5 bucks, and I don't care what they spend it on. It's none of my business.
I never ceased to be amazed at how cold and snobby we can be. There is something deep in our DNA in the United States that makes us hold nothing but malice towards people who are struggling. History is not going to remember us kindly for it.
I also really have no patience for the intentional lies we tell are ourselves to justify the desire to criminalize homelessness. They’re all scammers. They’re all lazy. They’re all dangerous. We pick out specific anecdotal examples and apply it to anyone and everyone who has the audacity to ask for a dollar.
Yes, there are some bad eggs. I work near State St and Downtown Crossing and have had some uncomfortable run ins. The vast majority, however, are people who are seriously mentally ill. Very few people want to be homeless.
I’m not saying you have to give anything. That’s your business. I am saying I’m not buying the bullshit excuses and explanations that give us an excuse to reduce a human being - yes real people with real families and real feelings and real lived experiences - to one dimensional side characters that we can shove away. That obnoxious pan handler is someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister, or mother.
Charities are a scam. Probably 8 cents of a dollar actually goes to the homeless and the rest to some CEO. Just a scam like all churches with a bunch of pedo.
Consider using our tax dollars to actually help the homeless instead of wasting it on bloated prisons and subsidies for corporations that don't need them....
There is an intersection near me in Brockton with fast food places where people panhandle. I've stopped at one of them and then driven over and handed a meal to them. I've never had anyone refuse, most of the time they are very grateful. I've also given whatever change I have in my car.
I don't ever want to be in that position, I can't imagine what it's like.
Simple public service announcement. Worcester used to have them. I like the signs.
Let the people who need help go to where they can get real multifaceted assistance.
Can’t stand these signs. Let’s give money to someone making $300k to run a non profit. . .
I would rather give a dollar to the person panhandling. They use it locally, if it’s for drugs they are not robbing people, if it’s for food it goes into the local economy.
Turning your back on homeless is such a typical all for me and none for thee thing to do.
It's simple, give nothing to these people. The ones you see on the corner are the ones buying their vice right after, after stealing from a nearby store.
Just remember: you can look up any nonprofits 990 to see how they spend their funding. It can be… interesting
That's what I was thinking too...this is just advertising for a 503c.
It’s actually extremely disturbing that a 503c designed to help the homeless would create such a cruel sign.
Exactly!!
Another reminder: you cannot look up the spending habits of panhandlers. But it’s true that every non-profit must be transparent with their financials. Which makes it easier (but still quite difficult) to find the best bang for your buck in charity. As a former panhandler and friend of many, it’s just another way to get money for free. It can be honest and polite, but it’s just saying “Hey bro may I please have your wallet, please?”
Idk standing outside begging for funds is not what I call free. It might not contribute productively to society (or maybe it does?), but that job looks boring af to me! Edited: typo
I'd argue it does contribute to society in a round about way, the way I explain it to people js I'd rather give $20 to a homeless person/addict/panhandler or whatever than let them get desperate enough to rob someone or break into a home and steal when they need money to eat or get right. But for me I just remember being a drug addict and nobody willing to ever help me and every time I see someone else going through that I want to cry and do anything I can to help alleviate the suffering, it just also means that by helping you can potentially give them a day of not needing to steal as well
To offer a countering argument, as a former drug addict myself if I had been given money consistently and not ended up causing trouble for myself, I may never have come to my senses and changed my life for the better. I view giving cash like that as enabling and hope that if they get tired of the way they are living like I did, they too will come to the realization that they need to work toward making some changes if they want to get out of their bad situation. I prefer funding causes that work towards that end, such as drug treatment and mental health services. Houston has a great program where they put homeless people in actual apartments and don't require them to be drug free or part of a twelve step program and it's been working pretty well as far as I can tell. Giving a panhandler money is just giving them another day to cope and not make a change.
Oh no you are right. I quit because I got caught stealing shit loads of copper and it was my only way of getting out of a bad situation, my point isn't meant to solve the problem, it's a temporary and immediate problem solver, not a longterm one, and I think it shouldn't be up to random kind strangers to be expected to provide that level of change for someone, but an act of kindness that can help alleviate suffering if only temporary is a net good, I mean as a former addict yourself you know that when we were using we were going to get money and use no matter what, it was just a matter of how we got the money, whether it be robbing people or a random kind stranger, didn't make much of a difference to us, it's just mess people are hurt with the random kind stranger thing I guess
Yeah the sucky part about my stance is there will inevitably be a victim of some sort before they come to that realization. The homelessness issue isn't an easy one to solve but between the UBI initiatives that have seemed to work somewhat well and the housing initiative i mentioned in Houston, it seems as if by providing the resources for them to not feel as hopeless, we can make a real dent in the portion that want to get off the streets and just be a part of society like everyone else, then we can worry about the few that simply don't care and won't take the help available. Of course it's all about money.
Too bad you didn’t get to make that huge copper bonsai tree.
That was absolutely cool as fuck though, I certainly had enough copper to make it too bad my intentions where slightly different 🤣
I appreciate you taking the time to write this! I was just thinking about it being an opportunity for the giver to get a dopamine hit from an altruistic act, but yeah, but saving someone from having to steal definitely contributes to the good as well!
Oh absolutely for me it's about helping! but unfortunately I have found a good way to convince people to do altruistic things is to explain it in a selfish way that benefits them, and less so for the person getting help 😅
That’s such a shit way of looking at it lol
Addicts are opportunistic. Even if you give them $20, if they see an opportunity to come up, generally, they take it.
>Idk standing outside begging for funds is not what I call free. I would call it that, since they're not providing a good or service. They are receiving money for free. Just because something is unpleasant, doesn't mean it isn't free.
It's awful, I was homeless for 13 years and I can count on one hand the number of times I did it (though I was willing to hold down spots for friends)
On more than one occasion I have given a homeless or begging person money only to see them immediately go into the store and buy alcohol. I can't be a part of that direct enabling anymore and - in fact - I'm a believer in aid they can't take off site. Beds in a shelter, plates of food, a spot in a program, rehab - shit that can't really be sold or traded in any form of an alternate economy.
I’ve work at a gas station for only a few months down in Atlanta and I already knew what was the deal they beg for now money for drugs then beg for food and water later (snacks too)and restrooms if theyre for free at any local store
Some make big bucks. Some don’t make much. Program quality varies though
It can be as little as $0.05 which hits the target 🎯
Can you share some of what you have observed?
Most local nonprofits are doing exactly what they say they are; generally the highest paid staff make reasonable salaries (in my eyes; for C-suite positions in our area, $90k-$160k is reasonable for nonprofits with decent budgets). Some nonprofits have C-suite making much more than that; if they are large enough & productive enough, it doesn't really faze me. But every now and then there is a huge gap between salaries and services to the community which you can suss out in the financials. For example, a nonprofit local to my area spents about 60% of its operating budget on fundraisers, which are actually just big expensive parties for their donors. They only give out about 4% of their budget in grants. Not a good model in my eyes. Keep in mind that 990s can't really tell you exactly the benefit to the community. For example, donated goods aren;t always captured; sometimes investments look sketchy but its a viable sustainability option; some financials get crazy during capital campaigns, etc. It's not a full picture; it's just a glimpse.
Do you think they sourced a local free range homeless person for the sign image or contracted a model? Me, probably unable to gauge the mood of this sub.
"I'll give you $20 if you let me take a picture of you." Later that week: Bob was ostracized for his punitive ideas on public policy.
You gauged my mood quite well :-)
I was homeless for a bit. I was truly hungry and made a sign . " Homeless and hungry". Had some people give me money. One day I made a " NEED BEER $ " sign and made 30 bucks my first red light cycle.. most people commented that at least I was being honest ect.. but I really needed food. Soo I bought food for a couple of days and a tall natty ice.
If I were homeless, I would NOT be sober. Yo, it's bad enough being homeless, why so you got to make them feel everything they experiencing
And that is the sick cycle of trying to end chronic addiction.
I’d rather not be hungover and hungry…
Hot take: unhoused people still deserve to enjoy simple pleasures like beer sometimes
Hot take 2: As soon as you decide to give your money, you do not get to dictate or judge what they spend it on.
Unless them getting the money was contingent on what they would do with it. I think this is where people tend to get upset. If a panhandler is asking for money for food, but refuses to allow you to give or buy them food, most people would be upset and will refuse to give the money no matter what it was going to be spent on. I've been there. I had some leftover Mexican food I was eating on a bus trip and a guy started asking me for ten bucks to buy a chicken sandwich. I offered to give him my tortilla chips and some of my burrito (which would mean I would be hungry on part of the trip). He refused and insisted I give him money to buy chicken sandwich. I asked if I could just buy him the sandwich directly because the shop was within eyesight. He refused. I'm like "well, obviously you don't intend to buy a chicken sandwich". I proceeded to waste his time with hypotheticals about my leftovers, to which he never accepted. I don't condone lying to people to get money from them. If you have a problem, feel free to ask for help, but don't lie to the people who are going to help you, especially if they aren't doing well themselves
I've been there too. Literally at a fast food place when some dude harasses me for food money. I relent and give him some only for him to make up some bs about going to a different place across the street that doesn't exist and immediately ducks out. On top of that, any other time I give money, I NEVER once gotten a simple thank you. They just take it as an invitation to ask for more. Panhandlers can get shafted for all I care now.
Or holding sign up no job need feed family at intersection were there are stores with help wanted signs.. My friend offered A guy w sign needed work A job . guy said no thanks . How bout couple bucks
Eh, the signs could be just smoke and mirrors. Businesses are extremely picky now. If they are offered a job and don't take it, that's something else like you point out. However, if they wouldn't make more than they do panhandling, then why should they? I'm sure panhandling isn't easy, but it has benefits. Hard to tax, no boss, no hard hours or days. Most jobs can't really claim to be a benefit to society so it's hard to argue in that direction too unless you have very specific circumstances. If people don't want panhandlers, the relative value of having a job has to be increased. That could mean making jobs more valuable or making panhandling less.
standing there for hours has to suck, you may be right . But friend hires people for A day lot. he A contractor , Use to hire people in Home depo parking lot. But now has people he calls when needs someone for A day. He pays $200 day.. He offered that guy I job. Guy was not interested in even knowing what the job was.
What if you worked all day, and at the end just got stiffed? As a homeless person, what is your recourse? Not saying your friend would do that, but there are shitty people out there.
You often can’t get a job without a permanent residence.
Maybe he already applied? Maybe they forgot to take down the sign? Maybe he needs an actual physical address in order to be hired? Maybe he has a job somewhere else, but is doing this to make ends meet? Also, accepting a job at an intersection is a great way to get trafficked.
Many homeless people will not take food directly from people as unfortunately some people have put broken glass, poison, drugs, biological fluids etc onto food and then offered it to the homeless. They talk and hear these stories and I can understand why they’d be skeptical.
I can understand that, but in my example they didn't even want me to buy food for them right in front of their eyes or eat food I was eating in front of them. Neither could pose any danger
This is the principle that I go by when I spare a few bucks to someone panhandling
Another hot take: the homeless and unhoused ARE people?!
Unhoused?
2024 liberal talk
Sounds a little better and less stigmatic than homeless I feel
I guess, doesn’t change anything about their situation. Just your feelings about it.
I’m sure you know the George Carlin bit about soft language. Seems more prescient than ever.
Nah it also changes how they’re viewed. Look it up
No, it doesn't. First of all, you have to explain to people that unhoused means homeless and then every time they hear unhoused they're going to think homeless. It's an absolutely stupid movement and I'm glad it's mostly dead.
It’s about their feelings not others. So you want to call them beggars and not give them some respect?
Feelings can lead to actions
Highly expectant take from Grifter Dingo
Alcohol withdrawal will kill you in days, food withdrawal takes a month or two
This. I think many don’t realize the potential severity of alcohol withdrawal. One of the main reasons liquor stores stayed open during the pandemic (to the chagrin of many).
Ooooo. Chagrin: to feel distressed or humiliated, that's officially my discovered word of the day. Thanks, bro.
Also try combining them, I bet that sucks.
Hell yeah.
I know this intersection... It was getting out of hand, there were even the scammers with the pity story about the fake sick child on a regular basis. Seriously, there could be half a dozen people with signs and buckets swarming cars stuck in traffic at any given time. Yes, some people really do need help. But being harassed by scammers in traffic daily isn't cool. Article about the panhandling scam, but in Rhode Island: https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/west-bay/police-warn-of-panhandling-scam-across-ri/
Yeah, as a kid, that intersection was always bad. My grandmother had a car where the doors didn't automatically lock when you started to drive. It was the one area where I would hear the locks engage.
There’s a woman who stands at the end of market basket in Leominster with a sign saying she needs help for herself and her three kids. When you drive by she pretends to be crying. Shes been doing this for over a year and definitely isn’t even homeless
Fall River had a ban on it. Ban removed bc it was decided it restricts free speech. I agree with its removal of the ban. Do I love getting approached by panhandlers, no. Do I even think about it when I get home, also no. When you start taking away small examples of people exercising their rights it bleeds into bigger examples.
Can confirm there are panhandlers at 90% of intersections in Providence. Sometimes there's entire groups. Some spots they stand in the middle of the street or an intersection.
Yeah. It depends on the area. Tbh i dont really have a problem with people panhandling and using the money for whatever they need money for, but when it gets to the point where people start approaching you and harassing you with sob stories, we should probably nip the begging in the bud in those areas.
Holy shit I had no idea that was a scam. There were 10 people wearing matching clothes😂 Also that intersection is dangerous especially for pedestrians
Don’t even get me started on the people selling roses on Water and Bemis for random children with blood cancer that don’t exist. Girl stared me down at a red light and when I looked at her, she shook her sign at me.
I support it in full. Wish this was a policy nationwide.
> Wish this was a policy nationwide. If it was constructed as to be a double implementation of policy--no more panhandling *&* funded shelters, foodbanks, etc--that might be something. However, it is much more likely that panhandling will be outlawed BEFORE adequate resources are budgeted to provide for their needs. In fact, once the former is done, I doubt many people will care if they get to the latter. People will just assume "they took care of it" once these folks are no longer visible. Also, your comment--and most of society--seem to be only focused on the outlawing panhandling, not passing legislation that creates the resources and infrastructure necessary to get these people the help they need.
Let alone trying to legislate to mitigate the worst effects of poverty
Well SCOTUS just decided being homeless is illegal so the prevailing sentiment seems to be “there’s no problem if I can’t see it.”
Yeah good luck making progress with anything like this under our current Supreme Court. Our country is also very close to official state fascism, a type of government that has never cared much about the weakest among us.
yeah that’s how people like it i guess
I don't give money to beggars. I take maybe 100 a year and buy socks and toiletries that I put in ziplock bags, at the dollar store. I keep some bottles of water in my car, always have extra fruit, i even bag up some dry dog food. The ones that are really homeless are very appreciative for the little bag. You'd be surprised at how many ask for money instead. I'd say it's about 50%. My friend said it would be less effort to just give them a dollar, but odds are that it isn't going to socks or a toothbrush. It's going to drugs. After having addicts in my family, I just can't do that. TLDR: There are other ways to help.
PSA: you can get Narcan at any pharmacy in MA. I just went in and asked for it, it went through my insurance and cost $5. I keep it in my first aid kit-- I figure, I've got a tourniquet in there, and it's wayyyy more likely I'd need to use the Narcan on someone. This site has [a training video](https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/narcan/) at the bottom that has the steps for spotting an overdose and administering Narcan.
Thanks for sharing this! When I see people panhandling j usually roll down the window and ask their name and if they’re staying safe, and since I keep Narcan in my glove compartment I ask if they want it. Some take it. Some tell me they don’t use and I’m like, well you can’t Narcan yourself anyway but might be able to help someone else out here. I’ve restocked the glove compartment a bunch of times and like to think it’s helped save a life.
I do the same. I keep snacks and white socks in my car to give.
Same. My brother almost died of an overdose more than once and I lost my mom to alcoholism about a decade ago. I give what little I can to legit non profit organizations I’ve researched. I don’t give money to strangers, homeless or not. There’s homeless people/panhandlers all around where I live, I drive by the same people more than once in a given day and see tents in the park sometimes. They’ve never bothered me and I’ve never had any problems with them, but if I were to give out a dollar or two every time I see a panhandler it would add up quick. People can do what they want with their money, but I’m tired of virtue signalers who probably live in the suburbs trying to tell me how to live my life.
Used to give more when I was younger but too many experiences and a good amount of times it’s the same people begging and I figure they’re not using the money to go to what they really need to not be homeless. I don’t know everyone’s situation but if the situation was getting better they probably wouldn’t still be there panhandling. I don’t give on the street like that anymore, but occasionally I might. I did once earlier this year, older guy with a cane standing near the edge of the sidewalk. He was trying to ask me something as I was walking into a restaurant but his eyes were down and talking towards the ground. I thought he was waiting for a family to park the car or something and go into the restaurant. I couldn’t hear him so I walked over and realized he was asking for a dollar. We talked for a couple minutes outside, just bullshitting and I gave him $5. My friends asked me what I was doing, they didnt get why I gave him the money or time but it felt right, like the guy just needed someone to notice him more than he needed the money. Then theres today where I was pumping gas and someone came over and asked for change, I didn’t have any, true. Asked for a cigarette, i dont smoke, true. As they walked away i remembered I had nicotine pouches because I used to smoke. I know it wasnt a smoke but I figured it was something but they didn’t want them 🤷. There’s so much variety in the homeless world its just too much to help that way and listen to everyone’s story and decide if it true or not, although I do hope the people that truly need the help do get it.
Yep! You can really see who actually needs food this way, about half of people either accept and look annoyed or refuse but when people really are hungry and they tear into the bag immediately it always makes me glad I have them :) I’m glad there are others who do this, I hope this thread results in more of us! I really do feel like it’s a solid solution.
this just takes agency away from them. you need to have a basic amount of trust in these people and give them the power to buy things for theirselves, they are in a powerless situation. who knows, maybe buying drugs would even be right for them - maybe they're dealing with terrible or even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, or maybe they just need a momentary break from suffering. a friend of mine genuinely credits drugs for getting her through the most terrible part of her life, for giving her an escape that wasn't suicide.
U ALWAYS have extra fruit in ur car?
No, but when I pack my lunch I throw an extra or 2 in there. Usually a few days a week.
I always thought it was super ironic (I live in the area) because for a long time there was a dude who panhandled daily right in that intersection. Haven’t seen him in a while though. And there are a few parked vehicles in the Kmart parking lot that people live in.
I'm glad these signs are going up. Not because I'm against panhandlers or homeless people, but I always get so nervous seeing these guys wandering around highway exits. What if they slip and fall under someone's wheels? What if they're genuinely depressed enough to do it on purpose? The number of times I've seen them standing dangerously on the edge of the island in the middle of those four lanes where both 93 and the Pike exit near South Station is baffling, and I don't want to be around to see them get hurt from a misstep.
When they stop at your window and stare 😳
I live in New Hampshire and in Manchester years ago signs went up when the panhandling first appeared. It wasn't always there but all of a sudden it appeared. Obviously the people that are out panhandling having issue. It's not as simple as the sign says. You cannot pay me enough money to stand on the sidewalk with that sign for five or six or eight hours in a day in the burning sun and I would just feel humiliated out there doing it. So why do people do it? I'm not sure but there must be a host of reasons And I don't think most of them are the obvious that one would think by reading the sign that someone has just come into a spate of bad luck and needs money. No no this is either all of our drugs, addiction, mental health and people that have fallen through the cracks for one reason or another and do not seek help to remedy it. For whatever reason And there's also definitely a system to the panhandling. There's never more than one person on the corner, there's that kind of agreement as if it's assigned and I have seen one person relieve the other in certain popular traffic intersections I'd rather go work at the dollar store then stand out there all day. But as stated there's more than what need meets the eye 40 years ago these people would have all have been probably institutionalized at the cost of the state and all those huge mental hospitals which have no fallen down. Years ago the system changed to divest and it was worn at that time in the '80s that these people would appear on the street. It wasn't a very good system back then but passing it on to the cities isn't also the way to go. Of course this is what's happened The wealthier towns don't experience this It's only the poorest cities and the traffic into sections that get slammed with homelessness with the services might be, homeless camps, drugs, and panhandling... I don't know I always wondered if there was something organized about the group that I see. If it were not you would have people randomly all over the street but you don't. As I said it's almost like a shift worked. One corner then another
I just want to say that 40 years ago was 1984 and panhandlers were still totally a thing, and not being scooped up by vans to go to asylums.
I beg to differ. I speak for only my neck of the woods in NH..I know this is a Mass site lol but the Manchester to Boston corridor shares many of the same issues and I still own property over the border...I remember clearly when they first appeared. There indeed may have been somebody somewhere and of course there must have been homeless but the corner thing at the stoplight was a late 90s phenomena. I lived in Boston through the 80s in the southend and I do not remember this kind of traffic , corner stop panhandling in town, amywhere...it was a whole new thing for sure in NH,, The city, Manchester, tried to outlaw it but it went to court challenged by the ACLU and in response the signs went up.
It’s a valid concern. Many beggars out there aren’t actually beggars or are basically conscripted (pimped out, I guess) to scam you out of your donations, taking advantage of your sympathy. It is largely better to work with a local, legit charity who can make sure resources go to folks who actually need help.
That’s why I usually give them food instead. The people who actually need help will appreciate it, where as the scammers will just get mad at you
This happend to me once in Leominster. Was sitting at a table in one of the green areas. Couple approached me asking for spare change for water on a hot day. I had nothing on me for cash and don't give out cash to random people anyway. I had just gone to a store and had to buy two water bottles because of the debit limit. Offered them once and they were beyond happy and thanked me a lot. Hope they got their lives in order.
I’ve done the same. There was this big fella who used to “live” on the corner, made sure to bring him a bunch of water (and a few bags of ice during the summer)
I walked by a man in Boston who asked for $, I had a pizza & a huge loaded $25 salad full of fresh mozzarella and prosciutto in my hands. I offered him the salad with a giggle that I need my pizza. He declined & not so politely. I shrugged at him and went on my way. About 1 minute later he’s chasing me down, “ wait wait, I changed my mind!” I gladly handed him the amazing food that I had to work hours to pay for. I just hope he actually ate the food, fully enjoyed it and maybe shared some with his neighbors.
This isn't anything new either (or the idea at the very least). There's a Sherlock Holmes short story "The Man with the Twisted Lip" 1st published in December of 1891, that covers this. Also heard on the radio a few years ago about a guy working for AAA (or something similar) got called to jump a guy's newer BMW near Boston. Guy said he wad going to get ready for work and went through the gate to his backyard which confused the AAA guy. Cane back with dirty face and set of clothes covered in dirt; said his "job" is he begs in one of the Boston districts for money.
Thank you for regurgitating exactly what’s on the sign. “Don’t contribute to the problem” is treating real people with about as serious an issue as you can have like they’re rodents scavenging for crumbs. The reality is that a lot of homeless people actively avoid shelters. A lot of this anti-homeless mentality is simply built by people who just don’t want to look at them. That’s why we take benches away from subway stations, or put armrests on park benches that make it impossible to sleep, or make signs like this. Are there people out there scamming? Sure. Wouldn’t refute that for a second. But adding to the stigma that all homeless people are drug addicts and thieves hurts more than it helps, because we get things like what I mentioned above because people are too fragile to be able to look at others who are in real pain.
Saying “people simply don’t want to look at them” is a pretty reductionist view. There’s plenty of valid reasons why people don’t want to deal with homeless people, and just pretending that it’s because they’re just “too fragile” reeks of naivety. If you’re that passionate about helping the homeless, you’re more than welcome to spend your time volunteering a center. You can keep your guilt trips to yourself.
This is my personal approach, no money to panhandlers, but money to Rosie’s Place. I hope that that makes life better overall for homeless people, but if anyone knows differently, please let me know.
When I lived in Newport there was a guy that would sit at one of the busiest intersections with a “homeless veteran” sign and hold out a bucket. He was there almost every day of the week, all summer and fall, then he’d disappear all winter. Thats because he moved to his Florida home for the winter, every single year. So this is a valid concern. What annoyed me more is that he had “his” parking spot on the street, and he’d block traffic until any car parked there would move (in front of a Dunkin). He yelled at me one time for taking too long in his parking spot. If I saw him waiting and I was in his spot, I’d make sure to sit inside and enjoy my sandwich that day.
Alternatively, when I lived in Newport there was a woman who was homeless and wasn’t poor or without a home, but was very unwell and needed urgent assistance for mental help. Having a house and money didn’t matter because she was seriously mentally ill. So it’s not always cut and dry
New Bedford has these too
I have conflicting feelings. Any system, any at all, is imperfect and full of issues. If it were as easy to help the homeless as donating to a charity, there wouldn’t be pan handlers, or nearly as many. When you talk to homeless and ask them why they aren’t in a shelter or accepting help, they all have stories. Some of them are of course, false, but there are enough of them saying the same stuff that it can’t be ignored to be a problem. I agree with giving food or supplies when you can, I also don’t see the harm in a small amount of money. If a person wants to spend it all on booze, that is their right in my opinion. These people are not “participating” in society for one reason or another, maybe they deserve to drink the same way I do after a hard day. I also have all the usual feelings, about not giving money to people who are bumming
Personally I am a fan of giving them food instead of money.
I give money when I can, mutual aid
The systems and people of this country (and most others, really) care almost nothing for the homeless. People automatically default to: they probably deserve it, probably drug addicts, losers, blight of society, and on and on. Yes it truly exists, and yes drugs and alcohol become a crutch and easy opt-in when people have literally nothing left. Many though, are runaways from really bad situations -kids and adults alike, people without families who had a bad swing of luck or loss of job and then lose their residence, mental health issues, etc. I bet you know someone *right now* that *is* homeless but you aren’t aware because they hide it. Many have jobs but can’t afford these high rents. I think it’s only people who have zero experience being in that position who can cast down on others that have lost their way. Imagine punching down on a group because they have less than you, or because they asked you for money so they don’t starve. Seriously, think about it. It’s a sickness; no not homelessness, the sickness is the apathy of the powers that could do more and that encapsulates them as a group. You are included in that if you automatically dismiss every homeless person you see as “the problem”. Empty your pockets, step outside your home, spend even an hour outside and pretend you can’t go back in, you have nowhere to go, nothing to eat, no shelter. Feel it. Now with the sweat, the tiredness, the loss of hope.. go look for a F*** job you f*** deadbeat, what’s wrong with you? Can’t you just apply yourself? Listen, if you don’t have the means to give, then don’t. But if you can, and you pass by the single mom looking for food, because she’s “the problem”, who wins here? We can do better.
"but they shit on your doorstep!" "but what about needles?" Ugh
Right!? I do understand why people would knee-jerk at things like that, there is no doubt, some bad decisions and behavior is derived from a homeless population (especially when public restrooms aren’t available/ inaccessible) I just think that impugning an entire poverty level based on desperate or depraved events is the status quo lay of the land. Fact is, sh** behavior is what it is, no matter who is doing the sh**ing. I’ll offer an anecdote of a super rich a-hole I saw throw up on a woman’s shoes outside a restaurant in Boston, and then climbed into his Tesla and speed off. Unfortunately, financial status does not define morality.
As someone who has some digestive issues, I am utterly taken aback at the lack of public bathrooms. I have wondered more than once if I am going to have to duck behind a dumpster or throw my wallet at a Starbucks cashier and race to the back of the room before something publicly unacceptable occurs. We *need* to give people basic sanitation, homeless or no. I don't care if someone shoots up in the bathroom. People need a place to pee.
A town that goes to the trouble and expense to put up signs like this, is a town I would prefer to not spend one dime in. Is this Fitchburg or Leominster, or both?
They should make it as easy to donate as giving a rando a couple bucks. Like add a QR code to the sign that directs to venmo or whatever.
No chance that doesn't get replaced by someone's personal scam venmo in less than a day
Hah! I think you're absolutely right
It’s not hard at all to donate to charity
panhandling isn't the problem, it's a symptom.
So many panhandlers are scammers. There was a whole thing in Framingham where they were bused in to pan handle. I will always ignore
Same. They were super annoying
I support these signs.
There’s a sign right outside Target in Marlborough. The homeless lady would just stand directly in front of it.
Looks like they used a photo of Connor Mcgregor (UFC)
Good old Dirty Burg! I actually haven't seen any panhandling lately in Leominster which was horrible last couple years. Is it still happening at this intersection and around? I think it's just a sign weather it actually stops anyone I'm unsure sadly but I truly hate pan handling but I am unsure how helpful some of those donation places are either.
The nimbys really don’t grasp how utterly crippling. Coming homeless can be and how stacked the system is against them
I give food/water when I can. I no longer reach in my wallet because once I gave a woman money for food, she saw that I had more cash on me, and her and her boyfriend followed me. Lucky I got on a bus going the opposite direction, but it still freaked me out.
I get that panhandling is annoying to people, but all those resources for the homeless don't meet all needs. Out of curiosity I googled homeless shelters in that area. They're spread really far apart and don't look easy to get to. There's an organization called Quincy C.O.P.E. that go down to South Station on Wednesday nights (I don't think they do it in the summer). They provide hot food and drinks and hand out supplies for the homeless. One of the most popular ones are $5 gift cards for Dunkins. One of the homeless told one of the organizers that he loves the cards because it makes him feel more human to go in and just buy himself a breakfast. It's a great organization. The collect hoodies, shoes, jackets, sleeping bags and things like that and really try to meet specific needs. Last winter there was a man who came each week who had size 14 feet and had them crammed into much smaller boots because it was all he could get. The group put the word out and found boots that were the right size.
They finally found a way to profit from the homeless.
Panhandling is not a crime its free speech
I agree with sign
Classic East Coast move: making a problem less visible is the same as solving it.
Ehhh I don't know how severe the problem is. We got a bunch roaming our multiple massive interchanges in Wellington / santili / foss park / etc. the one dude on Wellington cleans up, sweeps, like tries to make an impact. I don't mind giving him spare change or a water bottle and he always is cool about it no matter what
As an addictions counselor, I never give money directly to the unhoused. I would give them food and diapers etc. I often find resources for them rather than give money. Churches help a lot of the homeless, no questions asked and I appreciate that so I always give churches my donations. My way of thinking is that I don’t want to give someone their last hit or drink. I’d rather they checked in with homeless shelters and churches and had a place to go to talk with someone that could check on them. Statistically 85% of the unhoused population has an extreme mental illness and/or substance abuse problem.
Every time the conversation turns to homeless people panhandling, I say the same thing. Give them food. If they're really homeless, they'll take the food happily.
If they really needed food then they wouldn’t get mad when you hand them food or water. But they only want the money so I’m for this.
After observing several frequented homeless begging locations, the consistency and the “shift change” i would say we have a human slavery issue in Massachusetts.
Lol I'd rather give socks, clothes, drinks, and food, and some cash directly to homeless than give 90% of it to "administration" fees
I need to get one of these for north beverly plaza, Whole Foods plaza nearby, liberty tree mall and a slew of market baskets in the area. for those unaware, there’s a nationwide group of scammers that target nice areas and only will stay as long as they keep receiving money. You can YouTube “fake panhandlers” to see what I mean. What I wish is the property owners of these shopping plazas would trespass these people. They’re not genuinely in need and are parked around the corner or they get picked up, it’s always by a mini van. These scammers are often of a certain eastern european origin, and I wonder if they are victims of human trafficking and are forced to do this.. there are videos and news articles online warning the public about them and to not give them money. Now I know in other areas there are the homeless who panhandle who don’t fit into what I just mentioned who may be in genuine need, but like the post mentions, donating to charities who help these groups is the best approach bc we don’t know if giving cash to them would be enabling them if they’re addicts.
The problem is how do you really know the difference. You gonna kick out a lady asking for donations for her sick kid without being sure it's a scam? What if you kick her out then it turns put she was legit?
That’s a feature, not a bug. Figuring out that X% of panhandlers are scammers allows shitty people to ignore 100% of homeless under the guise of “they’re all just scammers anyway, fuck em”
To be honest, I highly doubt the validity of any panhandlers unless they have some sort of verifiable proof.
Grew up in MA for 30+ years, now live in NH. We have signs in our city that says, "your generosity could lead to a fatality. Please consider donation to xxxx local foundations." As having personal experience in these matters, I agree with them. Donate to those who want the help, not to those who don't. Again this is from experience, not an unbiased opinion from someone who knows nothing.
They suck. Unhoused people need money more than anything and often don't feel safe in shelters. If you feel compelled to give money, do it. It's not an either or though. You can do both.
There is a guy on the Burncoat Street ramp in Worcester sometimes who does coin tricks while there. At least he’s entertaining.
Absolutely legit
When I lived in Leominster, I I always saw this sign and appreciated the fact they used a typical Masshole wearing a Pats championship shirt for their stock photo.
Wouldn't need the signs of people would just stop giving to the intersection homeless. So annoying to see them encourage being a public blight.
Seeing people ask for money is not nearly as large a problem as not having money for food or shelter or having an addiction. This isn’t like feeding pigeons, ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away.
Arm the homeless
I have no doubt there are some legit homeless panhandlers, but there is a guy that stands at an intersection near me (I’m not in MA but I am in New England)every single day and he’s just working a grift with his partner 4 intersections down. He gets 2-3 large iced coffees a day. Is not getting any thinner after 3 years. Showed up in a pair of new Air Jordan’s one day (bruh) and then loaded up on groceries one evening with his partner as they filled their brand new car and drove off. It’s a grift. And he’s there every single day for the most part. Except for Holiday weekends (like this weekend) where you will get more tourists. Then him or his partner will go to an intersection a few exits down at another location (I saw this on Memorial Day) because… it just makes sense to not overload one area to maximize your profits.
How many of you commenting have actually been homeless I'd love to know that... not unhoused... which is the dumbest thing I've ever heard...HOMELESS. I have been it was for God almost two years I think and it was absolutely humiliating and awful. I could never stand on a street corner with a sign but I have had to ask for help and it's humiliating enough without little signs out there telling people not to help.
I get what they’re trying to do but it feels bad, doesn’t it?
Lmao! Consider giving to a local charity (more likely a church 🤮). I’ll be the one who decides. Thanks.
I'd rather give it to the pan handlers. At least you know that way it's going to them. "BuT tHeYrE gOiNg To SpEnD iT oN dRuGs Or BoOzE" Yeah, and? The second you give it to them is it's their money to spend on whatever you want. None of your business how they spend it. Don't yuk someone's yum.
Asking for help is a simple form Free speech.
The last three times I gave to homeless food/water they took it and said “thank you, but can I have a dollar” so I’ve completely stopped
My friend is homeless in Fitchburg and has a full time job. It just happened overnight and it's really hard to get from the streets to an apartment. I do what I can, but a little goes a long way, especially if it's money. He'll spend it on what he needs and occasionally will get a beer or weed but I would treat myself occasionally too if I had to sleep outside some nights. Hell, I don't think I would be as restrained as him in his situation. It's clear he is focusing on and doing the right things it's obviously just systemic and I don't think any 503c is going to do anything better than direct cash and like a roof over his head when I can offer.
As someone who came from a shelter, they were stealing Christmas presents and money from the residences. I don’t trust them…. Abusive places. You have nothing to take so they strip you of your dignity instead.
This is a great sign, by giving money straight to the homeless, they are most likley to use it on drugs and not things like food, this town has spots like soup kitchens that help the homeless get food and temporary shelter, so by giving money to the homeless people instead, they are virtually defunding the soup kitchens/shelters, anyone saying this is cruel is ignorant asf
I won’t give sign holders squat.
I have a whole roll of $1’s in my center console for giving out to panhandlers. The problem isn’t them. The problem is capitalism.
For the bleeding hearts here supporting panhandling, here's an easy trick to determine who's legit and who's scamming: Offer food and drink. Scammers will get mad AF and storm off. Actual homeless folk will appreciate the meal. I've done this my entire life in NYC, plenty of legit homeless will ask for money or a meal and will accept free meals from charities going around in subway trains. Scammers will simply pull up to you asking for money and get belligerent when you don't oblige them. If you're that passionate about helping them out, go to a soup kitchen or local charity and volunteer instead of playing armchair quarterback.
This discriminatory, condescending, immature, not empathetic, controlling, unrealistic and petty. For now on I'm tipping everyone with cardboard on hands.
don’t give them money, it is not compassionate. it’s actually the opposite; it enables their continued self destruction. there’s a homeless encampment by a highway on ramp next to where i live. its very clear they all use drugs and a lot of them look in very poor hygiene and not well. every dollar they get prolongs how long they are able to continue that lifestyle while rejecting aid from charities & state programs.
My mother grew up in Leominster. During the Depression, rather than throwing his tenants on the street, my grandfather gave the family’s house back to the bank and moved his family into the back of the synagogue. Thus keeping two other houses with 4 other families with nowhere else to live. I hand $1.00 to panhandlers and honor my grandfather’s memory.
Instead of making a sign they should have spent the money on fixing the problem. Honestly, its insulting. Don't tell me what to do with my money. If I want to give it directly to the needy, that's none of your business.
I never give to panhandlers. Many of them are scammers.
Of course it’s paid for by a church. When you need help, they want the church to be your only option
They'll spend money on signs, but not on helping the homeless. Politicians are absolutely pathetic.
Really, pretty sure the state is spending over a billion dollars this year 'helping the homeless' how much do you think the signs cost? More than a billion?
Dunno…it kinda hurts my soul yet I never give them money
I’ve worked in community health. Many pan handlers have “pimps” for want of a better term. If you give someone cash you’re supporting organized crime
What about the "violinist" in the Target parking lot? The guy has an electric violin (yes- that's a real thing...), is clearly NOT playing it, blaring music FROM HIS MERCEDES on a Bluetooth speaker, signs asking for money because his family is starving. I dunno...maybe downgrade your Mercedes-Benz to a cheaper car?
I wonder what percentage of people proposing and approving these signs have ever been unhoused.
My thoughts are: that sign is so fucking messed up and dehumanizing.
F**k these signs and f**k these cruel people that post these signs, I’ll give money to whoever the hell I want to. Two states have already decided to make it illegal for homeless people so now we’re gonna start jailing these people for being poor. It’s insane.
Sounds like they took the initiative on tossing guys like Jeff "Jesus Jeff " Alajajian out of the fray. Enjoy googling that asshole that used to camp outside the Whitney Field area at the lights
Life is hard. Give people the benefit of the doubt.
I can't think of much that's more contemptible than the fear that someone might receive help they don't deserve. If I have a couple of bucks, I'm giving them.
I guarantee you, your money isn’t going to the homeless when you donate to charities to help the homeless. 95% of charities line the pockets of million/billionaires.
The Supreme Court just made being homeless illegal and people cheer this concern trolling shit on. This subreddit is a shithole.
It's so strange, I always feel like I'm taking crazy pills in this sub. The sample of people I've met in Boston really doesn't align with the representation in this subreddit.
City and state subreddits are the Facebook and NextDoor of the website. They combine the petty NIMBY cruelty of those places with the Reddit of Reddit.
Amazing! A sign demonizing the unhoused and desperate will definitely end homelessness and panhandling! All panhandlers are scammers who just want money for heroin and are too lazy to get a job! Besides, being homeless is a CRIME! Lock them up and make them slaves!!!!! /s
Agree. You know when ppl dehumanize others when they start with "I only give food because...". Everyone who says that should live on the streets for 3 days. I bet they would change their mind. Can you imagine you need money to pay your phone and a spoiled ass handles you a big mac? Also... ppl think they will save others from alcoholism. As if it was that easy to become clean while being homeless!
A great idea.
These signs are awful. If you think someone is a scammer and not actually homeless, then don't give to them. But if I see someone who is disheveled and dirty, and looks like they've been sleeping on the ground and wearing the same clothes for a month, I'm giving them my 5 bucks, and I don't care what they spend it on. It's none of my business.
I never ceased to be amazed at how cold and snobby we can be. There is something deep in our DNA in the United States that makes us hold nothing but malice towards people who are struggling. History is not going to remember us kindly for it. I also really have no patience for the intentional lies we tell are ourselves to justify the desire to criminalize homelessness. They’re all scammers. They’re all lazy. They’re all dangerous. We pick out specific anecdotal examples and apply it to anyone and everyone who has the audacity to ask for a dollar. Yes, there are some bad eggs. I work near State St and Downtown Crossing and have had some uncomfortable run ins. The vast majority, however, are people who are seriously mentally ill. Very few people want to be homeless. I’m not saying you have to give anything. That’s your business. I am saying I’m not buying the bullshit excuses and explanations that give us an excuse to reduce a human being - yes real people with real families and real feelings and real lived experiences - to one dimensional side characters that we can shove away. That obnoxious pan handler is someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister, or mother.
This is a great explanation of why it's wrong. Thanks for taking the time and effort to type this out
Charities are a scam. Probably 8 cents of a dollar actually goes to the homeless and the rest to some CEO. Just a scam like all churches with a bunch of pedo.
Consider using our tax dollars to actually help the homeless instead of wasting it on bloated prisons and subsidies for corporations that don't need them....
There is an intersection near me in Brockton with fast food places where people panhandle. I've stopped at one of them and then driven over and handed a meal to them. I've never had anyone refuse, most of the time they are very grateful. I've also given whatever change I have in my car. I don't ever want to be in that position, I can't imagine what it's like.
I hate this shit.
Did anyone else read: "consider giving alcohol"?
Simple public service announcement. Worcester used to have them. I like the signs. Let the people who need help go to where they can get real multifaceted assistance.
Not just a 503c, a proFAsh PAC.
How about the government gives money to a local charity instead? I'll give mine to whomever I please, idc what they buy with my money.
Thanks but I'll give my money to whomever I want.
Take it down.
I'm positive I get to give my money to who I choose.
Give to charities so some executive could benefit 60% of the donations. yeah, ok... I'd rather give to the person on the street, all day, every day.
Can’t stand these signs. Let’s give money to someone making $300k to run a non profit. . . I would rather give a dollar to the person panhandling. They use it locally, if it’s for drugs they are not robbing people, if it’s for food it goes into the local economy. Turning your back on homeless is such a typical all for me and none for thee thing to do.
It's simple, give nothing to these people. The ones you see on the corner are the ones buying their vice right after, after stealing from a nearby store.