Burgeoning panhandling community near Beach/9A

[copperfiend]

Has anybody noticed the ever growing problem near Beach/9A of panhandlers? I would use the word homeless but it does not appear to fit here. I think lazy would probably be more appropriate. It appears to be a group of middle age men working in shifts at the off ramps of 9A onto Beach Boulevard. I have also noticed some of them hanging out on the side of a vacant Exxon station nearby. This must be where they seek refuge when they aren't attempting to receive pity. One of them was rather aggresive and was walking up to the car window of some drivers. I tried to let it be to him that it wouldn't be a good idea to walk up to my car in the same manner. I have really noticed an increase in this activity the past week.

[fsu813]

how can you judge them without knowing anything about them?

[thekillingwax]

Easily. These guys are scumbag asshats and are more aggressive than the folks downtown. I posted about them in another thread and I imagine someone will probably shoot one of them before long. The day I went out there, one guy was standing in front of the cars not letting them go and then went car to car with his sign banging on their windshields. They're just a bunch of 30-somethings intimidating people into giving them money.

[copperfiend]

how can you judge them without knowing anything about them?

See above.

[Deuce]

Step 1: Put police on speed dial on cell.

Step 2: Call. Although pan-handling may not be illegal, blocking traffic in this aggressive manner is.

or

Step 1: Accelerate. 

[mtraininjax]

I especially like the somewhat attractive woman that hangs out at JTB and I-95, perhaps she will feel the heat soon and retire her pitch. She did scare off the TU paper hustlers, either that or Pat Yack could not pay them anymore with free ads.

[Burn to Shine]

I only saw a guy once at Beach and 9A but he did come up to the window (which isn't so cool). 

I suppose people have to get more aggressive these days.  I don't have the change to spare myself. 

[NotNow]

how can you judge them without knowing anything about them?

[Bativac]

I never give money to the guys at Beach and 9A. They are way too aggressive. I used to give change to the bums at the Hess on Emerson and Philips... until one time, I guess I didn't have enough change, and the guy got angry! Another guy, back when I was in college, refused to take pennies (it was all I had)!

Panhandle if you gotta, but don't snap at me when I don't give you enough free money!

[billy]

At a Shell Station on the corner of Ponce de Leon and Boulevard last week (in Atlanta)
a thirtyish guy was asking everyone at the place if they could
"buy him three or four gallons of gas". He had a new pickup with an Arkansas plate.
When I ignored him and started to leave, he said, "I guess you're just not a Christian".

[buckethead]

There is danger in feeding the seagulls. You will often get pooped on.

[BridgeTroll]

And it tends to gather more seagulls... (cawcaw)

[Dog Walker]

You tend to get more of anything you spend money on.  Please don't give panhandlers any money.  You are being an enabler and creating a problem for people who live or have businesses in the area.

[KenFSU]

My wife has to deal with these people on a daily basis when she's driving to work. They scare her. I can't believe there are no regulations or laws banning panhandling in traffic or approaching stopped vehicles for money.

[NotNow]

Where is she being harrassed, Ken?