In Texas/Dallas county (or USA), Is it against the law to stay by the stop signs/traffic lights and ask for money? There are 3 people here close to my house that they take turn and show up there. I have seen police talking to them. But they showed up next day. What is the law? I do not feel safe. Is that wrong?
2007-02-21 05:41:53 · 10 answers · asked by mnk6 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Alot of good info. It is the same trafiic light, same people, 365 days a year. For one thing, it becomes very expensive after a while. I realy dont mean homeless also. whoever they are. .
2007-02-21 06:26:31 · update #1
Panhandling or begging is against the law in most US cities, but no one enforces it. They beg at the doors to the mall, stop lights near highway on ramps, at every local 7-11 in the state and even the steps of the local courthouse. The police never do anything as long as the beggars don't harm anyone. However they can be arrested if they are too aggressive .
Aggressive panhandling involves the solicitation of donations in an inappropriate and intimidating manner. This is not mugging, but rather a "borderline" activity which is often prohibited by law. Examples include:
Soliciting donations near ATM banking machines.
Soliciting donations from customers inside a store or restaurant.
Extending a hand, or even the head and both arms, into a car window to solicit a donation.
Soliciting donations after dark, in a secluded area.
Approaching individuals from behind, as they are exiting their vehicles, to solicit a donation.
Soliciting donations in a loud voice, often accompanied with wild gesticulations.
The use of insults, profanity, or veiled threats.
Refusing to take "No" for an answer, and following an individual.
Demanding more money after a donation has been given.
Invasion of personal space, cornering, blocking, or inappropriate touching.
A "team" of several beggars approaching an individual at once, often surrounding him.
"Camping out" in a spot where begging negatively influences some other business (such as in front of a store or restaurant) in the hope that the business owner will give money to make the beggar go away.
I frequently was harrassed by the same bums on the same corners daily on my way to work. So I went to my local homeless shelter and got a bunch of cards with an 800 help line on it. When they asked me for money I would give them a card. Eventually they learned to recognize my face and car so when I stopped at the light they wouldn't even approach my car.
2007-02-21 06:10:30 · answer #1 · answered by WriterChic 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There used to be this lady in my apartment complex who would come home from her job everyday, wearing a business suit, then go to the street corner wearing rags and holding up a sign saying, "I will work for food." When she was discovered, she got evicted. Amusing AND Ironic, as well.
On the other hand, I have spent a lot of time working with people, families, who actually were homeless.
It's hard to tell who is who when you are at a traffic light, though. I figure this. If I have the spare money and can get the person's attention before the light turns green, what's the harm in giving him or her a buck or two? Even if they have a day job.
It's not for me to figure out who's who. There used to be asaying about war, "nuke 'em all and let God sort 'em out." I figure, bless 'em all, and let God sort 'em out.
What I like to do when I have a steady income and good spare money, is buy a gift card from the local grocery.. for about 10 bucks... then give that out, instead of cash.
I'm not afraid of them, however, when I have children with me, I go into "mother bear" mode, and don't roll my window down for anyone.
**EDIT** Ok, same people every day, start waving and asking how they are. Start handing them the Classifieds section of the paper... or the number to the homeless shelter... maybe give them coupon for a razor (I wouldn't give an actual razor to a stranger), shaving cream, and classifieds... this would bring out the creativity in me.
2007-02-21 06:13:05 · answer #2 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sometimes make them leave if they start harrassing the public or lock them up, I even saw one guy begging fo rmoney and he was dirty and looked poor. So one day I watched this guy, and after several hours on a busy intersection, I observed him walking away and walked behind an old motel, and got into a 2002 Ford Explorer and drive away. And it turned out he did this on hiis days off and actually had a good paying job. I then advised him the next time I saw him on the courner and advised him he could be arrested for "theft by deception",,and I have not seen him in 6 months..??? Go figure. Not saying that they all do this, but you will have a few that are really not in need>>???
2007-02-21 06:47:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is illegal, but all the police do is chase them off, there is a unwritten rule, at least where I was a officer, is that the homeless person walks away and does not do it when the officer is in the area,
The judge does not want the case, the officer does not want to take 3 hours of paperwork and booking to arrest them, to hve them released the next day.
2007-02-21 11:02:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though it is against the law, many police officers will just tell the people to go away and not arrest or site them. Think if it like jay-walking. It's against the law, but rarely is a ticket issued for it.
However, if it makes you uncomfortable, do call your non-emergency police line and report it. If you see police officers talking to the homeless people and they aren't leaving the area, make sure you document the date, time and police vehicle number when you report it.
There is nothing wrong with reporting these things to the police, it is their job to make your neighborhood safe.
2007-02-21 05:54:00 · answer #5 · answered by zkiwi2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them what they want and they will stay off you street, a piece of advice, to go and look for work than asking from others, it is writen, by the sweat of your front shall you feed your mouth, that concerns every one even them okay!
2007-02-21 05:52:17 · answer #6 · answered by Emerald 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure they're homeless? Heh, heh. Just kidding.
I've been in the heart of D.C., wading through the homeless who, quite frankly, are that way because they are....well, they aren't all there psychologically. And not a single one hurt me.
They're probably harmless.
2007-02-21 05:50:42 · answer #7 · answered by mamasquirrel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't have to be expensive. You seem to think that you have to give them change. I don't as a rule. I would rather donate to homeless shelters or salvation army than give change to someone I don't know.
Giving change to someone you pity is not the same thing as helping them.
2007-02-21 07:41:43 · answer #8 · answered by frenzee2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are not supposed to. But, cops rarely do anything about it. No reason to be scared.
2007-02-21 05:46:05 · answer #9 · answered by Groovy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should give them a dollar and see how you feel after that.
2007-02-21 05:49:26 · answer #10 · answered by exiletheking 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋