Heads up: Panhandling beyond the downtown area

[Wilbur]

Don't feed the trolls!

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by swake

The panhandlers certainly have changed the last few years, sometimes I wonder if it isn't Katrina. New Orleans always had a ton of aggressive and often entertaining panhandlers and con men. I wonder if since the hurricane a few dozen of them made their way here. We are America's most charitable city, charitable to some means sucker to others.

New Orleans was and is a great city, before and after the storm, and some (not all, but some) of that element is part of the charm-up to a point. I should know. I was born there, lived part of my childhood there before coming to Oklahoma. Visited relatives there before moving back there to attend college (University of New Orleans!) and even lived there after graduating before shoving off to Biloxi. Oscar Wilde called it one of America's three best cities (along with New York and San Francisco), and many songs have been written about New Orleans. Must have been doing something right.  

The street culture there does have its finer points, sure. How many of us here have seen the musicians playing out on the street for money, or the street mimes? Talented individuals, for the most part.

One of my colleagues at the salon I worked at, on her off time, she'd come into the Quarter and set up as a "living statue." When I'd do the tour guide thang, we'd coordinate where she would be, I'd bring my tour group to where she was. I'd drop in a dollar or two, and with few exceptions, the rest of the group would do the same.

But for those who have visited and have been inconvenienced by the more negative aspects of it, I know exactly where you're coming from, trust me. The thing with the panhadlers in New Orleans, they were by far a little more aggressive than those in Tulsa, and while they were more concentrated in the Quarter and the area immediately surrounding it, you never knew when one would pop up out of nowhere to make their pitch. Typically, it seemed they focused on the tourists, but those of us living there got hit on too.

There was this one scam where a panhandler would come up to the unsuspecting passer-by and try to bet them that they knew exactly where the mark got their shoes; sometimes it was just a matter of talking trash, but sometimes it would be an actual bet for money, or even the shoes themselves. And some of the people out there running this scam, you had to be a little more firm with them than with others out there, if you catch my drift. Sometimes a "get out of my face" was just what they needed, but other times, you had to draw the line and show that you were more than willing to flex a little muscle if need be. I'm not habitually pugilistic, and never had to resort to using my fists to get them out of my path, but it's just telegraphing a willingness to do that if you really had to.

I remember once, I had to come into town to find out my hours at the restaurant, and feeling my belly rumble a bit, I stopped off at the Popeye's on Canal Street for a bite. There was this scroungy, unkempt and rather smelly dude coming around to each person sitting down to ask if there was anything on our order that we didn't want and could we give it to him. Mainly unsuccessful, he then plopped himself down to loiter at the Popeye's. Seemed he was giving the message that he was going to stay put unless we fed him.

But in any urban area, you'll find that. I've been to New York (where not only my sister lives, but also have attended many beauty industry shows there) and they're aggressive there too. Same thing with Miami and Los Angeles. It's just a matter of how firm one can be in an urban setting, I suppose.


I enjoy watching the guys at 14th & Utica. Great begging spot because its between the two hospitals guaranteeing a source of fresh meat for them. A van drops them off. My son and I were watching one morning when this occurred and I pointed out to him that they were using a cell phone. Hard to feign poverty when you can afford a cell phone and have transportation. You give to these guys and its like throwing money out the window at high speed.
[/quote]

That is also good to know. I'll definitely keep my guard up a little more in that neighborhood. But keep my guard up nonetheless.

quote:Originally posted by brunoflipper

the most tenacious one lately is the dude with the cane who works 15th street... i get asked by him twice a month... he's always in front of kilkennys /hideaway... i usually say "nope, sorry" and go about my businesss but last saturday, while going in to eat (the wife and kids) he approached the car while we were unloading and that realy pissed me off...
i've been asked by two different bums inside empire in the past 6 months... one was a big dude and a little ominous... after i said no, he started asking only the females in the bar... i alerted the bartender and the bouncer through him out and not in a nice way...

also got asked by slick lookin' dude inside the mercury lounge at 9 pm on a thursday... he really went all out... he was really flamboyant, he burst in the door and asked for everyone's attention.... he was in a late model overcoat and suit (thrift store special), his hair slicked down and a $1 "dolce and gabana" watch... his elaborate story included bus tickets printed with his name (he provided a texas ID to prove it) and tickets with is "daughter's" name but alas, he was $20 short of buying one for his wife... he had lost his credit card and was unable to purchase the third ticket... he was trying to raise $20 but would take "anything you can spare" and offered his "christmas present " watch  for sale "make him an offer"... this was all quite entertaining... he was a true con-artist.... it was like watching a street performer... totally reminded me of "the grifters"...
[/quote]

Be careful with those guys: people like that, whether they're living on the street or not, they are the ones who could blow at any time.

[Breadburner]

quote:Originally posted by brunoflipper

the most tenacious one lately is the dude with the cane who works 15th street... i get asked by him twice a month... he's always in front of kilkennys /hideaway... i usually say "nope, sorry" and go about my businesss but last saturday, while going in to eat (the wife and kids) he approached the car while we were unloading and that realy pissed me off...
i've been asked by two different bums inside empire in the past 6 months... one was a big dude and a little ominous... after i said no, he started asking only the females in the bar... i alerted the bartender and the bouncer through him out and not in a nice way...

also got asked by slick lookin' dude inside the mercury lounge at 9 pm on a thursday... he really went all out... he was really flamboyant, he burst in the door and asked for everyone's attention.... he was in a late model overcoat and suit (thrift store special), his hair slicked down and a $1 "dolce and gabana" watch... his elaborate story included bus tickets printed with his name (he provided a texas ID to prove it) and tickets with is "daughter's" name but alas, he was $20 short of buying one for his wife... he had lost his credit card and was unable to purchase the third ticket... he was trying to raise $20 but would take "anything you can spare" and offered his "christmas present " watch  for sale "make him an offer"... this was all quite entertaining... he was a true con-artist.... it was like watching a street performer... totally reminded me of "the grifters"...

The one with cane we nick named Hop-A-Long.....He has been around for about 2or 3 years...He had a car for a period about 8 months ago....

[RecycleMichael]

I am saddened that I don't ever get hit up for money. Do I just look poor?

Last time I did, I told the guy about how much money I owed on my house, car and credit cards. I said to him that if he was truly homeless, he was probably even and I was behind. I then asked him for money.

[mr.jaynes]

Another good way to get these panhandlers to stop bothering you is asking them what they need the money for in the first place, pretty much calling their bluff. If they say something such as "food," aske them what kinds of food they are looking to buy. Then offer to go out and buy it for them. If they hem and haw about it, you know it ain't about the food, it's about feeding a haboit or some other vice. And it works with just about anything. If they ask for money a cab, for example, offer to call them a cab, and hint that you may be willing to pay for it. Then reach for the cell phone, and watch them scamper out of the way. Note that I didn't advise to actually go out and pay for anything, or even hand them any money. It's just a matter of turning it all around on them.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by mr.jaynes

Another good way to get these panhandlers to stop bothering you is asking them what they need the money for in the first place, pretty much calling their bluff. If they say something such as "food," aske them what kinds of food they are looking to buy. Then offer to go out and buy it for them. If they hem and haw about it, you know it ain't about the food, it's about feeding a haboit or some other vice. And it works with just about anything. If they ask for money a cab, for example, offer to call them a cab, and hint that you may be willing to pay for it. Then reach for the cell phone, and watch them scamper out of the way. Note that I didn't advise to actually go out and pay for anything, or even hand them any money. It's just a matter of turning it all around on them.

I always ask them if they take PayPal then I leave them to ponder on that.

[Breadburner]

I was crossing 15th once and could see two of them across from street sizing me up......They had a duffel bag and left it to approach me I was still on the opposite corner from them...Well when the street was clear I took off running at top speed the guy did not have time to get anything out of his mouth....He was standing there with his mouth open....Well when I passed them I grabbed their bag and kept running down the street, they did not know what the hell to think or what had just happened.....heh.....Anyway I dropped the bag where they could see it and kept going.....

[tonydbaker]

I live at the University Club near downtown at 17th and Carson.  It's easily seen from Denver between Riverside and 15th street.  Obviously its the huge round building that I also have a top floor office on.

As nice as that is.  I often go to QT at 15th and Denver for fuel, food and drinks.  

During the day, 99% of the time, I have someone either approach me or sizing me up, trying to determine whether or not to approach me.

Occassionally I'll have the same problem at night.  It makes me sick.  I work hard for every dime, and I take a great deal of risk in advertising and marketing.  To have someone come and ask for money is just annoying.

One time I was at Midfirst at 4th and Boston and  I had just checked out $500.  I'm immediately shocked as a man walks around the corner asking me for help.

Actually I have no idea what came over me... whether it was the internal thankfulness that he wasn't trying to rob me, or the thought that if I help him, he might try to rob me, or may rob me if I don't help him.  I seriously to this day do not know why, but I asked him what was going on, and I ended up driving him to the very QT I'm complaining about and bought him a soft drink and a sandwich.   But ... he never asked for a dime.

As I left him there, he simply stood by the bus stop waiting for the morning bus which was surely many hours away.

Nevertheless, I despise being approached most of the time.  

Just yesterday I went to the Taco Bueno near 31st and Sheridan and what appeared to be a homeless man was standing at their front door asking every person that entered for money.

I'm a night person.  Sometimes I will just drive around for half an hour or so to relax, even if it's 4am.  

I've often noticed what appears to be homeless people hanging outside of the YMCA, as well as stragglers finding their way from Greyhound to the Salvation Army.

All with employment at 95 to 96%.

[kylieosu]

quote:Originally posted by Breadburner

quote:Originally posted by brunoflipper

the most tenacious one lately is the dude with the cane who works 15th street... i get asked by him twice a month... he's always in front of kilkennys /hideaway... i usually say "nope, sorry" and go about my businesss but last saturday, while going in to eat (the wife and kids) he approached the car while we were unloading and that realy pissed me off...
i've been asked by two different bums inside empire in the past 6 months... one was a big dude and a little ominous... after i said no, he started asking only the females in the bar... i alerted the bartender and the bouncer through him out and not in a nice way...

also got asked by slick lookin' dude inside the mercury lounge at 9 pm on a thursday... he really went all out... he was really flamboyant, he burst in the door and asked for everyone's attention.... he was in a late model overcoat and suit (thrift store special), his hair slicked down and a $1 "dolce and gabana" watch... his elaborate story included bus tickets printed with his name (he provided a texas ID to prove it) and tickets with is "daughter's" name but alas, he was $20 short of buying one for his wife... he had lost his credit card and was unable to purchase the third ticket... he was trying to raise $20 but would take "anything you can spare" and offered his "christmas present " watch  for sale "make him an offer"... this was all quite entertaining... he was a true con-artist.... it was like watching a street performer... totally reminded me of "the grifters"...

The one with cane we nick named Hop-A-Long.....He has been around for about 2or 3 years...He had a car for a period about 8 months ago....

Yes, I have also been approached numerous times by the cane guy. Every time was at the Phillips 66 on 15th & Utica.

[cks511]

There is one that will follow you after she has made the initial request.  Once she knows where you live watch out.  She approached me broad daylight on the Westport side of the trail, asked for money, I said no.  She apparently followed me and tried to break into my apartment the next weekend.   People who thwarted her identified her down to the last detail.  She was never caught.  She has also been seen harassing BCBS workers who park in the 15th and Main St lot.  But I've never seen her at QT.  She sometimes has a little kid with her and says he needs insulin.  I hope I see her at QT someday when the cops are there.

[mr.jaynes]

quote:Originally posted by cks511

There is one that will follow you after she has made the initial request.  Once she knows where you live watch out.  She approached me broad daylight on the Westport side of the trail, asked for money, I said no.  She apparently followed me and tried to break into my apartment the next weekend.   People who thwarted her identified her down to the last detail.  She was never caught.  She has also been seen harassing BCBS workers who park in the 15th and Main St lot.  But I've never seen her at QT.  She sometimes has a little kid with her and says he needs insulin.  I hope I see her at QT someday when the cops are there.

There's also another one who hangs out off of West 23rd across the bridge, claims she needs $5 to take her son to McDonalds.

[jiminy]

So, nobody has had them knock on your front door before?  I gave her a $10 and never saw her again.

[mr.jaynes]

What also gets me steamed is when I refuse to give anything, and I get accused of being racist.

[Hawkins]

Panhandlers tick me off too.

They do seem to be everywhere now. I was recently approached inside a Barnes & Noble.

What do you guys think? Is it a sign of the times, or do we simply need better police enforcement to deter this type of activity?

[cks511]

[/quote]

There's also another one who hangs out off of West 23rd across the bridge, claims she needs $5 to take her son to McDonalds.
[/quote]

That's probably her, she's been known to use that line and there's a diaper line too.