Increased begging

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys have the fake violinists? A guy standing alone and playing lovely classical music. However, there's a little speaker hidden playing music, and he's not really playing at all.

Was this in Loudoun?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not in that area but I called my mayors office when they started trotting out babies too. That shit will not fly on my watch!

They won’t take action because babies are fed and clothed and they can’t require much else

[Anonymous]

I have seen an uptick on my commute to my job in DC. It’s always the same people but most of the people who ask me for money seem to be relatively young men. Of all races. I don’t carry any cash ever so I don’t even have to think about giving money. But I also don’t like being approached constantly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have seen an uptick on my commute to my job in DC. It’s always the same people but most of the people who ask me for money seem to be relatively young men. Of all races. I don’t carry any cash ever so I don’t even have to think about giving money. But I also don’t like being approached constantly.

This used to work. Is I’ve had people say that I can get cash back on my credit card after buying something at a neArby store. I’m surprised they don’t have squares on their own phones these days!

[Anonymous]

Fairfax county police have issued bulletins about this. Last one I saw said they are part of a ring and to not give them any money. There are plenty of resources you can refer them to, including calling 211.

[Anonymous]

This is anecdotal, but since I moved to PG county I noticed that a lot of black drivers give money to panhandlers at intersections. I think that’s why there are more of them around here.

[Anonymous]

It is so bad in southern Alexandria. I have never seen so many beggars on intersections in the past 15 years like now. I hope nobody gives them money. They are not homeless and poor like people think. I wish county would just pick them up and put them somewhere to a group home or something. Most of these people have mental problems, drug problems, don't want to live a normal life.

[Anonymous]

Is panhandling illegal? Or is it considered freedom of speech? Clearly the police drive by these intersections also. I hate when I’m stopped at a red light and feel like I have to divert my glaze to avoid them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Fairfax County. In the last few weeks there’s been a dramatic increase in beggars at intersections. They have a sign explaining their situation blah blah. Women, men, all races. Many places are looking for workers. I don’t understand. There are lots of jobs available. If I wasn’t always in a rush or if it was safe (I’d hold up traffic by just stopping) I’d ask them for their story, just “what happened?” Discuss.

"Many places" aren't looking for people without a home address or current valid documentation for employment with missing teeth, mental health issues and irregular access to showers and clean clothes. Take off your privileged glasses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fairfax county police have issued bulletins about this. Last one I saw said they are part of a ring and to not give them any money. There are plenty of resources you can refer them to, including calling 211.

Arlington County did as well--their line was that most panhandlers aren't homeless, and most homeless aren't panhandlers. They also recommended available services.

Also +1 to PP--as a woman typically out alone, I do NOT like being approached by panhandlers, especially men, in public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Fairfax County. In the last few weeks there’s been a dramatic increase in beggars at intersections. They have a sign explaining their situation blah blah. Women, men, all races. Many places are looking for workers. I don’t understand. There are lots of jobs available. If I wasn’t always in a rush or if it was safe (I’d hold up traffic by just stopping) I’d ask them for their story, just “what happened?” Discuss.

"Many places" aren't looking for people without a home address or current valid documentation for employment with missing teeth, mental health issues and irregular access to showers and clean clothes. Take off your privileged glasses.

OP. These people are dressed appropriately, appear clean, not disheveled at all. Of course the crazy ones with no teeth and look like haven’t had a bath in a year are not going to get a job, but these people look pretty regular to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys have the fake violinists? A guy standing alone and playing lovely classical music. However, there's a little speaker hidden playing music, and he's not really playing at all.

Was this in Loudoun?

No... Kansas City. I saw an article about this happening in Texas too. Just wondering if this phenomenon has hit DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys have the fake violinists? A guy standing alone and playing lovely classical music. However, there's a little speaker hidden playing music, and he's not really playing at all.

Was this in Loudoun?

No... Kansas City. I saw an article about this happening in Texas too. Just wondering if this phenomenon has hit DC.

There's one in the Giant parking lot at Beacon Hill in Alexandria. He "plays" while a woman holds a cardboard sign with an appropriate tale of woe. It's rather loud due to the amplification.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a business like any other, why would they work? They are mostly “Roma travelers” or whatever the PC name is now. They come with those seeking asylum (they blend in well).
There is a whole underground network with its own mostly cash economy and jobs like panhandling and petty crime.
Nothing is done about it because no serious laws are broken and the notion of quality of life for tax paying citizens is no longer a thing. Just like with mentally ill unhoused and petty criminals from pockets of generational poverty, there is no place to hide unless you are in the burbs with no public transportation and/or restricted access.

You say no serious laws are broken, but what about the ones who bring little children along? The part that drives me frothing is I go to the same places every week, but the babies only get trotted out when it’s 100 degrees plus, or below freezing. It’s abusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you guys have the fake violinists? A guy standing alone and playing lovely classical music. However, there's a little speaker hidden playing music, and he's not really playing at all.

Was this in Loudoun?

No... Kansas City. I saw an article about this happening in Texas too. Just wondering if this phenomenon has hit DC.

It’s definitely hit the DC area. I’ve seen them at a bunch of Giants and other shopping centers here.