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Are there fewer panhandlers all of a sudden?
06/16/2013 8:05 AM by John M
Kat asks:
Has anyone else noticed that there are a lot fewer flaggers, aka panhandlers, in the city over the last week? There are several corners on my way from home in Church Hill to work in Carytown and back where I have always seen someone with a sign. The corners have all been empty over the last few days. I’m not complaining at all but wondered if an ordinance has been passed that I missed.
TAGGED: question
Soilent Green
No
I have not noticed a drop, at least the streets that I travel. But I do hope that if others have noticed, that some have gotten help and are able to be off the streets.
A dedicated panhandler on a reliable corner can make some serious cash or so I hear.
I’ve heard that you can make some serious cash panhandling. There are 3 prime corners on my way to work – all 3 have been vacant a.m. and p.m. for the last few days.
They’re all at the G8 summit.
What I’ve noticed is that the “regulars” seem to have left. I got used to seeing a core group of about six rotating the corners by the Exxon on Broad Street and it’s been a while since I’ve seen any of them.
there’s a Panhandler’s Convention going on in NYC…….the pros are getting further certifications.
and every word is true,,,,probably
Maybe they took vacations with all that money they make…
I noticed one or two less around the Exxon station this morning, but there were still some either there or over at 17th St. And the ones at 14th and Cary that I normally see on the way home from work seem to have been chased off by construction at that site – but I’d bet they are just elsewhere. So no, I don’t notice a distinct drop and have not heard of any new laws about it in the city. I think Henrico came up with something about not being in the median, but that does not apply here.
oh yea! take the bus home to church hill every work day. Some of the regular pan handlers will get on, and go through a fat wad of cash before putting money in the bus machine. Ive talked to a few of em, they do indeed gloat and love the fact that they just made good money panhandling. It does nothing but remind me NOT to give out money to panhandlers, most of the dudes that ride my bus are pretty obvious drunks. The real kicker, 2 of them live on chimborazo, the brick apt multi-units right after leigh. KILLS me to see them go home to a nice ( well decent) place after begging for money all day.
Most of the people begging for money ARE not making a bundle. They are making a little bit that they spend on booze, food, or other things. This is a big fat urban myth that panhandlers are really well off.
Quote from Councilman Chris Hilbert:
“Not all panhandlers are homeless and not all homeless are panhandlers. I suggest you save you spare change for real change and donate to homeless service organizations.”
and yes some panhandlers are making some real scratch, many receive benefits (Social Security), have homes and sometimes drive to their favorite corner.
Three different times over the last several weeks, I’ve seen the cops chase off panhandlers from the corner at 17th and Broad on the same side as the McDs. So it seems that maybe you are seeing the effects of those efforts across the city?