Burgeoning panhandling community near Beach/9A

[Dog Walker]

Moral of the stories above;  do not, DO NOT, give money to panhandlers!  Unless, of course, you are the kind of person who would buy booze for your alcoholic brother. 

If you want to help those who are ready to help themselves, rather than live the "homeless" lifestyle, then contribute your time and/or money to somebody like Goodwill.  Salvation Army is supported by McDonalds so they don't need your money.

[KenFSU]

I take 9A home from work now, and the panhandling at 9A and Beach creates legitimate safety concerns. I routinely see three or four cars blatantly running the red light to avoid having to stop next to one of these people. My sympathies have always been with the homeless, but something about this particular location just screams organized enterprise to me. This corner desperately needs to be cleaned up.

[copperfiend]

I actually saw one of the guys getting arrested a few weeks back but the other ones in the crew are still out there. They have even started looking for pity at the 9A/Town Center-UNF exit.

[urbanlibertarian]

"How can we keep love alive
How can anything survive
When these little minds tear you in two
What a town without pity can do"

Gene Pitney

[floridaforester]

Maybe they should all move to st johns town center and start working those corners.  Maybe that will actually lend a genuine "town" quality to that area.  God knows we deal with them enough in Riverside.  I've seriously considered renting a party bus, loading up with panhandlers and seeing how the Louis Vuitton folks deal with the real world.

[buckethead]

SOILENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!

[mtraininjax]

Saw a guy strumming a guitar at an intersection yesterday, asking for money. If they want to entertain me at the stop light, that is worth a couple of bucks.

[Dog Walker]

SOILENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!

Are you suggesting that we process panhandlers & bums for dog food?

[buckethead]

I think it's only fair to ask all citizens to contribute as best they can.

From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

[Dog Walker]

Or as they say in the property appraisal business, "highest and best use".  

[UpOn2Wheels]

Saw a guy strumming a guitar at an intersection yesterday, asking for money. If they want to entertain me at the stop light, that is worth a couple of bucks.

Just wait until I get desperate enough to play guitar at traffic lights.  You'll gladly pay me NOT to play.

I'm pretty sure my singing would net me even more cash.  "Stop!  For the love of God stop singing!  I'll pay you anything!"

[FLDrifter]

The "playing guitar" thing doesn't work. All that will happen is that someone smashes your guitar. Selling bottles of water *can* work, but it is a lot of effort. A "homeless veteran" sign usually works best. It is just a matter of location. The panhandlers just follow the development. Downtown is just too crowded with homeless. There is nobody to give you anything.

[mtraininjax]

I would prefer body flashing if I am going to hand over money.

[Karl_Pilkington]

The "playing guitar" thing doesn't work. All that will happen is that someone smashes your guitar. Selling bottles of water *can* work, but it is a lot of effort. A "homeless veteran" sign usually works best. It is just a matter of location. The panhandlers just follow the development. Downtown is just too crowded with homeless. There is nobody to give you anything.

is this speaking from experience?

[UpOn2Wheels]

The "playing guitar" thing doesn't work. All that will happen is that someone smashes your guitar. Selling bottles of water *can* work, but it is a lot of effort. A "homeless veteran" sign usually works best. It is just a matter of location. The panhandlers just follow the development. Downtown is just too crowded with homeless. There is nobody to give you anything.

is this speaking from experience?

I hope so, I'm taking notes...