Family panhandling by Costco

[Anonymous]

Anyone remember the fake violinists who were everywhere during the holidays? It made me so angry the parents were having their children out there scamming people during school hours.

[Anonymous]

Weird. I go to that Costco regularly and have never noticed this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think know the family you’re talking about, but I’ve just generally seen a woman there with a ~8ish year old boy. He doesn’t go car to car though. Usually he sits there reading and eating a snack while she sells flowers at the stoplight for Costco on South Dakota.

No, I’ve seen them and she’s selling flowers, not begging. Her kid is older and he looks bored but I don’t think it’s the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone remember the fake violinists who were everywhere during the holidays? It made me so angry the parents were having their children out there scamming people during school hours.

Yes! That was so weird. And then they just vanished.

[Anonymous]

People need to call the police and CPS on them repeatedly and not give money. But there are quite a few gullible do gooders so their business is thriving and kids are suffering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think know the family you’re talking about, but I’ve just generally seen a woman there with a ~8ish year old boy. He doesn’t go car to car though. Usually he sits there reading and eating a snack while she sells flowers at the stoplight for Costco on South Dakota.

No, I’ve seen them and she’s selling flowers, not begging. Her kid is older and he looks bored but I don’t think it’s the same thing.

The family I think the OP is talking about sit on the corner where there is a four way stop sign where you turn left out of the shopping center. The Costco parking lot is on the right and straight ahead is the newish townhouse development. I just saw them the other day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're scammers. Don't give them a penny OP.

Yeah, I don’t! I want to report them! Why do people think I am giving them money?

They aren't really reading your posts in most cases. Some people have a canned lecture that they like to come in and post in any thread about homeless, panhandlers etc.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who is low income with kids has access to a lot of extra services from DSS including food stamps, WIC (if under age 5), Medicare health coverage.

[Anonymous]

The apologists for this behavior are incredible. What are these children being taught by their parents by being taken to beg in their formative years? Stop and THINK.
This is a choice. there are almost too many good options for families in DC in need of support. Please do not give these people money. I think you would be shocked by how much they are "making".

[Anonymous]

Leave them alone. Why do you self righteous types have to actively make life harder for other people? Can’t you just mind your own business?

[Anonymous]

What a disgusting mindset to brainstorm all of the ways these panhandlers “make so much money” and “should” be doing something else. What a shallow way to view the world.

[Anonymous]

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

Yes, it is horrific, and if you can’t feed your children, then they should be taken from you, but unfortunately, there are so many and no one wants to foster.

[Anonymous]

Google “affluent beggar” and/or “Elyse Johnson”

Or do a search for both on DCUM

What does the family look like? Elyse was back in town and back to her old tricks this past fall. She approached me outside the Barnes & Nobles in PY.

If people don’t think land handlers can’t be scammers, then Elyse, her begging and her gofundme are laughing all the way to the bank. People absolutely do use their children for stuff like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Google “affluent beggar” and/or “Elyse Johnson”

Or do a search for both on DCUM

What does the family look like? Elyse was back in town and back to her old tricks this past fall. She approached me outside the Barnes & Nobles in PY.

If people don’t think land handlers can’t be scammers, then Elyse, her begging and her gofundme are laughing all the way to the bank. People absolutely do use their children for stuff like this.

This family is not Elyse Johnson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Google “affluent beggar” and/or “Elyse Johnson”

Or do a search for both on DCUM

What does the family look like? Elyse was back in town and back to her old tricks this past fall. She approached me outside the Barnes & Nobles in PY.

If people don’t think land handlers can’t be scammers, then Elyse, her begging and her gofundme are laughing all the way to the bank. People absolutely do use their children for stuff like this.

This family is not Elyse Johnson.

Well no description has been given of the family AND plenty of people think panhandlers with kids would always be legit. And that panhandlers can’t do it long term. Guess again (since 2006 and still going strong)


https://www.reddit.com/r/nova/comments/hejhk7/beware_of_affluent_beggars_in_fair_lakes/

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/northwest/family-gets-public-attention-for-begging-affluent-beggars-say-they-can-make-as-much/article_027b315c-d064-5cb5-84fd-38bbf5e0fcaf.html

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/343486.page