What to do if you see beggars with little children

[Anonymous]

These begging rings should be taxed like the businesses they are.

[Anonymous]

Still the lady w 2 kids? She has told me once that the older daughter has brain cancer and an different connection the next time. Was not interested in food when we offered it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a family that hangs out in front of the Giant/CVS in McLean. I asked them once where they were from and the dad said (in perfectly good English) “we are from Romania”. Not sure why I was surprised by that.

As soon as I read the header on this thread I wondered if we were talking about gypsies. I don't know of any other beggars who would exploit children this way.
I live in NYC and normally would never have thought there are gypsies here but my Greek, Romanian, Ukranian and Italian colleagues can spot them immediately. I was even told about a specific overpass in Brooklyn that they tend to congregate under. Since they 'learned' me on gypsies in the US, I've been more observant about beggars. The Roma tend to wear colorful, almost clashing patterns. There is residual South Asian to their features. When children are involved, there's a good chance they are Roma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a family that hangs out in front of the Giant/CVS in McLean. I asked them once where they were from and the dad said (in perfectly good English) “we are from Romania”. Not sure why I was surprised by that.

Gypsies are originally from Romania

No, they are actually from northern India migrating to Europe during the 9th Century. I read something about them being driven by unrest/invasion. They never really assimilated into European societies the way other groups have.

[Anonymous]

Some were outside Trader Joe’s in Silver Spring.

[Anonymous]

If you're begging in a parking lot, you obviously need the money. It's not a "scam" unless it's purely for buying drugs. Owning a vehicle to drive home in doesn't make it a "scam." It's sad either way. We don't know their life story.

A 2 bedroom apartment goes for what, $3000/month? Gasoline at least $300/month. Our groceries are about $500/week. Cell phone $150. Car payment $300. Utilities $300+. Incidentals like clothing, shoes, medicine, personal hygiene a minimum $300/month for a family. . That's about $6300/month. Begging 5 days a week, 20 days a month, you need $315/day to barely survive. That's tough.

[Anonymous]

One day this lady followed me around the produce section trying to get me to read a handwritten note. When I finally glanced down at her index card with some statement about needing money, I realized that she LAMINATED the card!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're begging in a parking lot, you obviously need the money. It's not a "scam" unless it's purely for buying drugs. Owning a vehicle to drive home in doesn't make it a "scam." It's sad either way. We don't know their life story.

A 2 bedroom apartment goes for what, $3000/month? Gasoline at least $300/month. Our groceries are about $500/week. Cell phone $150. Car payment $300. Utilities $300+. Incidentals like clothing, shoes, medicine, personal hygiene a minimum $300/month for a family. . That's about $6300/month. Begging 5 days a week, 20 days a month, you need $315/day to barely survive. That's tough.

It is a scam because they’ve made it their profession when begging is supposed to only be for those in need/unable to work.

[Anonymous]

I admire the $6300 a month (after tax!) calculation as a minimum standard of spending to barely survive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're begging in a parking lot, you obviously need the money. It's not a "scam" unless it's purely for buying drugs. Owning a vehicle to drive home in doesn't make it a "scam." It's sad either way. We don't know their life story.

A 2 bedroom apartment goes for what, $3000/month? Gasoline at least $300/month. Our groceries are about $500/week. Cell phone $150. Car payment $300. Utilities $300+. Incidentals like clothing, shoes, medicine, personal hygiene a minimum $300/month for a family. . That's about $6300/month. Begging 5 days a week, 20 days a month, you need $315/day to barely survive. That's tough.

It is a scam because they’ve made it their profession when begging is supposed to only be for those in need/unable to work.

Maybe they cannot work.

Maybe they don't have a SSN/work authorization. Maybe they have criminal records. Maybe they can't speak English. Maybe they can't afford a daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I admire the $6300 a month (after tax!) calculation as a minimum standard of spending to barely survive

Gifts aren't taxable income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I admire the $6300 a month (after tax!) calculation as a minimum standard of spending to barely survive

That was hilarious. 300k+ income spending levels accepted as the norm as if there is nothing between that kind of spending and begging with your kids in a parking lot for spare change to keep a roof over your heads and people fed. No, people suffering from poverty don't spend 3k a month on 2 bedrooms in central DC or 600+ a month on car related expenses, get a clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nothing. They're scammers, and more than likely the kids aren't even theirs.

That's the point.. What do I do? I wasn't the only one who saw them in the broad daylight in the middle of the day, many people coming and going and ignoring it. What if these kids are trafficked, exploited? I know in other countries this happens, but it's illegal in the USA to beg with kids I would think. It's basically a red flag, but I don't know what to do without dragging myself into it, and I don't want to have to provide my personal info a lot to be the local "Karen" meddling into other people's lives. My guess is that they are pros, or just opportunists? The man seemed to be angry at the woman, maybe she wasn't begging enough and getting enough attention? He wasn't physical or anything, just annoyed and started holding the sign himself. Kids looked really bored stuck around the stroller and getting restless, who knows what happens to them.

Oh really? “You would think?” Please cite the relevant law being broken. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're begging in a parking lot, you obviously need the money. It's not a "scam" unless it's purely for buying drugs. Owning a vehicle to drive home in doesn't make it a "scam." It's sad either way. We don't know their life story.

A 2 bedroom apartment goes for what, $3000/month? Gasoline at least $300/month. Our groceries are about $500/week. Cell phone $150. Car payment $300. Utilities $300+. Incidentals like clothing, shoes, medicine, personal hygiene a minimum $300/month for a family. . That's about $6300/month. Begging 5 days a week, 20 days a month, you need $315/day to barely survive. That's tough.

It is a scam because they’ve made it their profession when begging is supposed to only be for those in need/unable to work.

Maybe they cannot work.

Maybe they don't have a SSN/work authorization. Maybe they have criminal records. Maybe they can't speak English. Maybe they can't afford a daycare.

Daycare? Have you noticed there are always two parents? Why can’t one of them work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're begging in a parking lot, you obviously need the money. It's not a "scam" unless it's purely for buying drugs. Owning a vehicle to drive home in doesn't make it a "scam." It's sad either way. We don't know their life story.

A 2 bedroom apartment goes for what, $3000/month? Gasoline at least $300/month. Our groceries are about $500/week. Cell phone $150. Car payment $300. Utilities $300+. Incidentals like clothing, shoes, medicine, personal hygiene a minimum $300/month for a family. . That's about $6300/month. Begging 5 days a week, 20 days a month, you need $315/day to barely survive. That's tough.

It is a scam because they’ve made it their profession when begging is supposed to only be for those in need/unable to work.

Who are you to judge? You don't actually know anything about these people yet you are actively trying to harm them? WTF?