Begging for money at intersections.

so... question

Why is it that people get upset about "citizens" begging for money at intersections and demand laws to stop it, but the moment its for a good cause, the safety aspects go out the window and its all good?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/02/22/mb-rooftop-firefighters-muscular-dystrophy-manitoba.html?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4d652d26842fe94c,0

good money. hard work. biggest thug gets the corner.
i give them a handfull of magic beans.

Deank wrote:so... question

Why is it that people get upset about "citizens" begging for money at intersections and demand laws to stop it, but the moment its for a good cause, the safety aspects go out the window and its all good?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/02/22/mb-rooftop-firefighters-muscular-dystrophy-manitoba.html?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4d652d26842fe94c,0

Big difference in approach me thinks. Some of the ne'er-do-wells are very intimidating and some are very persistent.

I never drove passed there today but would assume at a minimum two or three guys working every light change...thats not intimidating?

safety aspects aside...it's not the "begging" that's the problem, it's the perception of where that money is going.

I personally don't have a problem with collecting for a cause provided:
1) ALL people walking in the streets collecting monies have identification (ie. what cause they are collecting for)
2) ALL people walking in the streets are wearing reflective vests/shirts to help make them visible to traffic
3) Traffic flow is not deterred by collections...ie. a light turns yellow, and all people MUST stop collecting and return to a curb IMMEDIATELY.
4) A permit/permission from the city allowing them to be working that particular intersection.

Deank wrote:I never drove passed there today but would assume at a minimum two or three guys working every light change...thats not intimidating?

nope

87% of Forum posters are mean-spirited!
That is so sad, as as far as I am concerned , those that are in need and are asking for help, should be helped!
The possible problem is that maybe begging for 2-4 hours a day pays better than working? I cannot imagine , but it seems that is the case, and the person on the corner looks at that as his job?

I saw a guy selling sofas on a corner once. Scared the bejesus outta me...

I tend to agree with AA (again) on this one. Why should these guys who either just beg on the corner or at the light standard receive money tax free out of my pocket when I worked hard and have to pay taxes for what I earn. I know of one guy that I encounter on a very regular basis who washes windows for the money he receives. I usually will talk to him, say hello, etc but I don't contribute because I know that when he is finished what he is doing, he jumps into a fairly new (less than 3 years old) Cadillac Escalade, picks his wife up at the local VLT bar down the street and off they go to their home in River Heights (I know this because one day I was curious and followed them). I don't have a problem with them being there as long as they are being safe for themselves as well as to others around them, I just won't contribute. The ones I do have a problem with are the ones that ambush you at the street light and expect you to give even if you tell them to stop.

i thought someone was following me home! lol
What you should do is paint up a big sign and expose him for what he is!
That would work, but phone the media and that will get his picture in the paper.

would carrying a bagful of chocolate loonies and giving them one be a bad thing?

We need more resources for those that need some money to carry them through to their next unemployment cheque or their retirement cheques!

Yes Rosie - it's called part-time work. There are more Help Wanted signs on downtown windows than there are bums standing in the road asking for your loonies.

Recently I was stopped first in line beside the guy who's been begging with a sign for 4 years at Bishop Grandidn and St Mary's Rd. I told him I've seen him for 4 years and why doesn't he have a job yet? He said he makes better money doing this - averaging $20/hr. I told him that likely everybody that passes thru here now recognizes him as somebody who has no intention of getting a job - as his sign suggests. He said - "apparently not - I stay here because I have a lot of regular customers". I said "customers - what are you providing?" He says - "a smile". How disgusting. I'm pretty sure there's a law against walking through traffic. Funny how that's niot enforced. I'm guessing it's because those offenders are not likely to respond to fines.

Yeah at the Kevin L thing on Tuesday the Ex head police guy from the south end was there talking about how they got rid of the squeegee kids for the most part based on a law that stopped people from selling stuff on the streets at intersections.


yet.. we see these people every day all over the city.

Jondo wrote:Yes Rosie - it's called part-time work. There are more Help Wanted signs on downtown windows than there are bums standing in the road asking for your loonies.

Recently I was stopped first in line beside the guy who's been begging with a sign for 4 years at Bishop Grandidn and St Mary's Rd. I told him I've seen him for 4 years and why doesn't he have a job yet? He said he makes better money doing this - averaging $20/hr. I told him that likely everybody that passes thru here now recognizes him as somebody who has no intention of getting a job - as his sign suggests. He said - "apparently not - I stay here because I have a lot of regular customers". I said "customers - what are you providing?" He says - "a smile". How disgusting. I'm pretty sure there's a law against walking through traffic. Funny how that's niot enforced. I'm guessing it's because those offenders are not likely to respond to fines.

This guy makes me sick, he is there and he also "works" the Bishop Grandin off ramp that leads to Pembina (can't think of the street name, but it runs behind Earls) anyway he splits time between the two places. I have said the same thing to him, got the customer line as well.

As for the fireman, I have no problem with what they are doing and it's for a cause.