Family panhandling by Costco

[Anonymous]

There is a couple who bring their toddler and baby (or sometimes just one, I’m not sure) to panhandle outside the Costco in NE DC. I generally don’t have a problem with panhandlers although I see it as just a grift/job. But I hate, hate that these people are using their kids. It’s child labor. And they’ve been doing it for more than a year so it’s not like it was temporary hardship.

I wish there were someone to whom I could report them, but I’m sure calling the police wouldn’t help because I guess it’s not illegal? There are always police at that shopping center so it’s not like they don’t know. Child services?

[Anonymous]

Its illegal to leave your kids at home. If they did that - wherever they're currently staying - they'd be arrested. So your solution is to have CPS take their kids for bringing them with them?

[Anonymous]

Have you reached out to Costco? Are they on the Costco property? Costco can absolutely ask them to leave if they are not customers & actively shopping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its illegal to leave your kids at home. If they did that - wherever they're currently staying - they'd be arrested. So your solution is to have CPS take their kids for bringing them with them?

Well for one thing, both parents are there. So one could be home with the children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you reached out to Costco? Are they on the Costco property? Costco can absolutely ask them to leave if they are not customers & actively shopping.

I assume they’re not although I don’t know where the property line is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its illegal to leave your kids at home. If they did that - wherever they're currently staying - they'd be arrested. So your solution is to have CPS take their kids for bringing them with them?

Well for one thing, both parents are there. So one could be home with the children.

If 'home' is a shelter they have rules about the times you have to be in and out of the facility, so no they couldn't. Meanwhile I bet you have no problem with 'both parents' shopping and dragging along 3 kids plus grandma in the Costco aisles?

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry an unemployed couple with children to feed is begging for money. The horror.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry an unemployed couple with children to feed is begging for money. The horror.

Abundant amount of of jobs that need filling out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its illegal to leave your kids at home. If they did that - wherever they're currently staying - they'd be arrested. So your solution is to have CPS take their kids for bringing them with them?

Well for one thing, both parents are there. So one could be home with the children.

If 'home' is a shelter they have rules about the times you have to be in and out of the facility, so no they couldn't. Meanwhile I bet you have no problem with 'both parents' shopping and dragging along 3 kids plus grandma in the Costco aisles?

I don’t even think it would be possible for a family in DC to be in a shelter for a year. At worst they would be in one of the hotels. The frequency with which I see them shows that this is their chosen job. I assume because it’s more lucrative than a regular job. But they’re definitely putting in the hours and so are their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry an unemployed couple with children to feed is begging for money. The horror.

Well we don’t know anything about their financial situation but like I said, I’m not opposed to begging I just don’t think children should be forced to participate.

[Anonymous]

Do they seem to be immigrants? I ask this because in some other countries people routinely beg with kids because they get more money. Sometimes they even injure their kids to get sympathy?

I think this is abusive parenting.

I once called the police to check in a baby who was out in this circumstance. It would be far more damaging (psychologically) for an older child.

This is never the best option, for parents who are not drug addicted or mentally ill. Children should not be raised like this.

(Abortion would have been a much more humane option for all involved. I am talking to you pro-lifers out there, who act like they don’t have any responsibility for families winding up in this circumstance)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry an unemployed couple with children to feed is begging for money. The horror.

Abundant amount of of jobs that need filling out there.

Might pay less than they earn begging. Or maybe they have no work permit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they seem to be immigrants? I ask this because in some other countries people routinely beg with kids because they get more money. Sometimes they even injure their kids to get sympathy?

I think this is abusive parenting.

I once called the police to check in a baby who was out in this circumstance. It would be far more damaging (psychologically) for an older child.

This is never the best option, for parents who are not drug addicted or mentally ill. Children should not be raised like this.

(Abortion would have been a much more humane option for all involved. I am talking to you pro-lifers out there, who act like they don’t have any responsibility for families winding up in this circumstance)

Now killing people is going then a favor? There was a group that used that pitch about 75 or 80 years ago. Didn’t work out too well for them.

Maybe you would benefit from a tour of the museum on Raoul Wallenberg Place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry an unemployed couple with children to feed is begging for money. The horror.

Abundant amount of of jobs that need filling out there.

Might pay less than they earn begging. Or maybe they have no work permit.

Panhandling is not the answer regardless. Or having and putting children in that situation.

[Anonymous]

Do not give to them and they won’t panhandle. Do not enable people using children as a prop for sympathy.