Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I now carry business cards for a local food program and hand these out if approached in parking lots, grocery stores.

I get approached often - so much so that if I’m in a hurry I wave my hands and say no-nope-gotta run. This is effective.

I make it a point to always hand out $$ to these people. While I agree some may be “fake” most are not. When you see a man/woman with a cart or bags with all their possessions there, in the cold or heat, these poor people are marginalized. Most have mental issues where they have worn out all welcomes and all doors shut to them now. Street is the final stage - rock bottom. Shame on all of you. You live in $3m homes, driving $100k SUVs but are “afraid”. Watch the move “ Trading Places”. It can happen to anyone!

You are the problem. Reward antisocial behavior and you get more antisocial behavior. People who are homeless, mentally ill, addicted, etc have government support available. That they chose to supplement or replace it with panhandling is their choice, and is not a behavior which society should accept.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean isn’t a property city. It doesn’t have a government that’s going to start writing laws about panhandling. If it did, you’d be paying a city tax like Vienna.

The closest you’ll get is the dranesville district supervisor in Fairfax county.

Maybe they can roll in fixing panhandling as part of the central McLean revitalization effort.

"McLean revitalization effort" -- often uttered, never happens. never ever.

It’s been ongoing for a while, just at a slow pace. Latest is the new condos off Old Dominion; that building should be finished in a few months. Given there’s no metro in downtown McLean, that’s fine.

"new condos" is not a "revitalization effort" as much as one developer willing to make some money in McLean. Over the last 30 years, there have been countless efforts and plans that have all gone for naught. Real plans that include an effort to make a town or community or center or least safe to walk from point A to B. McLean still has none of that.

Such a petty post op. They are standing on public land - just as you are in your Porsche or whatever pretentious vehicle you drive. Not much you can do. If you don’t like it, roll up your windows and mind your damn business. You can also move. GTFO

Anonymous wrote:I now carry business cards for a local food program and hand these out if approached in parking lots, grocery stores.

I get approached often - so much so that if I’m in a hurry I wave my hands and say no-nope-gotta run. This is effective.

I make it a point to always hand out $$ to these people. While I agree some may be “fake” most are not. When you see a man/woman with a cart or bags with all their possessions there, in the cold or heat, these poor people are marginalized. Most have mental issues where they have worn out all welcomes and all doors shut to them now. Street is the final stage - rock bottom. Shame on all of you. You live in $3m homes, driving $100k SUVs but are “afraid”. Watch the move “ Trading Places”. It can happen to anyone!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A person is so desperate that they are begging for a few dollars in the cold in the street while you live in million dollar homes and drive a warm car and YOU complain? You are vile.

+1. Signed, very wealthy person.

Civilized countries do not tolerate this lawless behavior and dysfunction. They have no right to disrupt traffic and threaten public safety because they don’t want to work.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:McLean isn’t a property city. It doesn’t have a government that’s going to start writing laws about panhandling. If it did, you’d be paying a city tax like Vienna.

The closest you’ll get is the dranesville district supervisor in Fairfax county.

Maybe they can roll in fixing panhandling as part of the central McLean revitalization effort.

"McLean revitalization effort" -- often uttered, never happens. never ever.

It’s been ongoing for a while, just at a slow pace. Latest is the new condos off Old Dominion; that building should be finished in a few months. Given there’s no metro in downtown McLean, that’s fine.

Anonymous wrote:McLean isn’t a property city. It doesn’t have a government that’s going to start writing laws about panhandling. If it did, you’d be paying a city tax like Vienna.

The closest you’ll get is the dranesville district supervisor in Fairfax county.

Maybe they can roll in fixing panhandling as part of the central McLean revitalization effort.

"McLean revitalization effort" -- often uttered, never happens. never ever.

Anonymous wrote:A person is so desperate that they are begging for a few dollars in the cold in the street while you live in million dollar homes and drive a warm car and YOU complain? You are vile.

+1. Signed, very wealthy person.

Anonymous wrote:Why is this even a topic??

it's both political and related to real estate. Political because the County BOS and Attorney are too liberal to address citizen concerns around this, and related to real estate because panhandling impacts real estate values and the quality of life of everyone else. The topic is a call to action to oust the BOS and County Attorney, replacing them with people who listen voter concerns after being voted in.

Why is this even a topic??

McLean isn’t a property city. It doesn’t have a government that’s going to start writing laws about panhandling. If it did, you’d be paying a city tax like Vienna.

The closest you’ll get is the dranesville district supervisor in Fairfax county.

Maybe they can roll in fixing panhandling as part of the central McLean revitalization effort.

Anonymous wrote:McLean is too liberal to do anything

It’s pretty Trumpy for Northern VA. Not as many Trump signs but still lots of MAGA license plates.

Anonymous wrote:Actually your attitude is why we don't have a social safety net which would mean people wouldn't have to beg for help.

Existing social safety nets, federal, state, and local in FX Co are quite sufficient. This is not about providing for those who are incapable of providing a minimal level of support for themselves but about people who prey on the gullible, the naive, or the easily intimidated. They do so in a deliberate, calculated, and organized manner, exploiting the credulous who are easily deceived by artfully crafted cardboard signs meant to convey extreme poverty and imminent starvation.

These are people making deliberate choices to obtain income by importuning others.

Anonymous wrote:Actually your attitude is why we don't have a social safety net which would mean people wouldn't have to beg for help.

Fairfax county and local private organizations are actually pretty robust here for anyone who truly needs help.

As pps noted, the people doing this are capable of working paid jobs if they are able to stand outside all day. They do this because people fall for it and give them money.

It is a hazard and a nuisance and I wish the county would put a stop to it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you see the beggars there day after day, you realize that they show up to the job every day, stand on their feet all day in all types of weather and take a lot of attitude and rude comments in stride to get their money. They are working harder than most people in Mclean.

They are able-bodied and able to stand/pace/walk for hours a day and need few breaks. There’s a YouTuber who drives around and offers construction work to those panhandlers holding signs like, “need work - anything helps.” He gets very very few acceptances.

When was the last time you saw a dcum area panhandler holding a sign saying, “needs work”?

+1 They could work like everybody else. The one woman that hits the grocery store actually laminated her index card with her begging comments because she plans on using the index card daily. She, too, could get a job.