Beat On The Street

Recent Activity

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  I'm guessing we are gonna have to agree to disagree re Squatting, and is straying off topic somewhat...

  
  

  But just to clarify:

  
  

  In the UK it is not a criminal offence: http://www.urban75.com/Action/squat.html    http://www.squatter.org.uk/

  
  

  According to The Empty Homes Agency, there are an estimated 870000 empty homes in the UK and enough empty commercial property to create 420000 new homes.

  
  

  In Ireland for example there at least 400, 000 properties (most were subsidised by the Irish government to aid greedy developers)

  
  

  Try Google to find out how many empty properties there are where you live, I bet you will be shocked and perhaps read a bit more into the subject so as to avoid knee-jerk responses..

  
  

  I believe these spaces should be claimed back asap...

  
  

  Though I'm not willing to engage with a debate on this 'Pan-handling' thread, just pointing out the facts.

  
  

   

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  Interesting article from the National Coalition of Homelessness, USA, which for me encapsulates a lot of my thinking and some of us involved within the homeless Community..

  
  

  Have we changed that much from Dickensian Times....

  
  

  http://nationalhomeless.org/WordPress/2010/06/we-are-still-the-same/

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  Meanwhile back on topic:

  
  

  A federal judge has refused to block St. Petersburg's new ban on street solicitation, clearing the way for officials to begin enforcing it this weekend http://jackiedowd.blogspot.com/2010/06/judge-refuses-to-block-st-pete.html

  
  

  Any thoughts?

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  This has been a fascinating discussion so far...

  
  

  I hope Amber read (2 Thess 3:10) where the quote came from, rather than God talking to her directly, that would be well scary!! The Bible is certainly open to interpretation and re b has illustrated some of the positive elements above...

  
  

  So the general consensus seems to be... Giving to Panhandlers is a matter of choice, circumstance and common sense...

  
  

  More importantly it offers us a chance to engage and chat with people, which as Dominic correctly points out is very important. The really correct response if the person is hungry and you have the time is to go for something to eat with them.. Though I guess that's easy for some of us that may have some experience within the homeless field and maybe able to offer some local knowledge of services etc.. For many here due to time constrictions etc.. may not be able to do that, so we follow our heart and spare what change we have, when we can..

  
  

  I'm glad to have been part of this discussion and it has been quite illuminating to read peoples opinions and thoughts.. It is heartwarming that the majority of comments have been supportive of our street communities and hopefully over time we will work together to prevent the need for panhandling..

  
  

  The change does start with us!

  
  

  :-)

  
  

   

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  Some great illuminating points given so far..... and certain displays of ignorance of the realities of street life...

  
  

  May I refer to an earlier unaddressed question I posed ^^^

  
  

  If people are opposed to 'panhandling' would they like to see the logical conclusion, so as to introduce draconian laws to make it an 'illegal act'?

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  um.. I thought I had explained the FB 'post/quote' clearly already... I always believe one should use supporting quotes or facts from other sources to substantiate ones position....

  
  

  The other persons contribution has been clearly outlined, I even requoted it so as to differentiate,  they are aware that it has been used with their permission...

  
  

  The rest is my personal viewpoint/analysis...

  
  

  A quick re-read would likely affirm this...

  
  

   

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  Just to clarify as well, I had cleared the use of the post/quote here....

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  Not everyone is as fortunate as some of us with regular access to the Internet due to their circumstances....

  
  

  I placed the relevant quote within quotation marks and stated it was on a thread on FB... As it goes I have mentioned on a number of occassions at FB for people to contribute to the ongoing discussions here...

  
  

  The quote again was : "This article frames the question in generalities, where people are relegated to two easy designations: "Homeless" and "Panhandlers". Instead of humans with stories, they only matter for the two seconds it takes to make your decision. I think the only fair answer is: "Well, it depends." If over time you get to know the people on a block or a highway ramp, if you see them regularly enough, then you can get to know their situation. But this quick articles wants a firm ethical answer that applies in every case. What situation will that ever work in?"

  
  

  Having a posting limit here of 2500 characters necessitated me to post in two parts.......

  
  

   Apologies for any confusion..

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  (continued....)

  
  

   It peeves me far more to see certain organisations with large fund-raising teams, creaming the money in with well above average salaries for their desk-work..

  
  

  I think a bit of common sense is required, rather than a simple 'yes or no' scenario.

  
  

  Mark hits the nail on the head... "People don't ask and very few care"

  
  

  I guess our real role is to try and make people care. We can do that by primarily pointing out that those panhandling are just the tip of the iceberg.. They are in the minority, as compared to, dare I say it: 'The average homeless man or woman' you will pass everyday and never notice....

  
  

   Btw: A previous similar article here is worth a read again: http://homelessness.change.org/blog/view/does_this_reflective_vest_make_my_panhandling_look_bad

  
  

   

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  Beat On commented on the article | over 1 year ago

  Why You Shouldn't Give Money to Panhandlers

  There are a number of problems of how the original article was framed: 

  
  

  I posted this article at my FB a/c and elucidated what I think was one of many great responses:

  
  

  "This article frames the question in generalities, where people are relegated to two easy designations: "Homeless" and "Panhandlers". Instead of humans with stories, they only matter for the two seconds it takes to make your decision. I think the only fair answer is: "Well, it depends." If over time you get to know the people on a block or a highway ramp, if you see them regularly enough, then you can get to know their situation. But this quick articles wants a firm ethical answer that applies in every case. What situation will that ever work in?"

  
  

  There is also the problem by advocating strictly not to give to panhandlers, do we take the next logical step, and encourage the act being made illegal? As some states in the USA are attempting. I'm not sure many of us involved within the homeless community would stomach such acts... Which are basically a smokescreen to drive the 'visible poor' from our streets...

  
  

  There can be no hard or fast rules... Indeed in Ireland there has been a policy introduced whereby there are clearly defined areas close to 'Cash Dispensers', where only the 'customer' can enter. That makes sense to me. Previously the Irish State tried to enforce citywide swoops in Dublin for example, to drive the homeless from the streets. This was challenged in the Courts and it was deemed 'a denial of human rights'

  
  

  Homelessness, as we know can lead to chaotic lifestyles, where people can make decisions that may not necessarily be the correct one for them at that time. All we can hope is that we can somehow intervene and show people choices.

  
  

  Its a sad indicator of our society that we do not address the core issues properly rather than having debates as to whom we should give money to or not, and indeed as to how they choose to use the money...