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Pan Handlers?

Pan Handlers?

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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 3:40pm  
I just ignore them.  I once offered to buy one guy a meal and he told me to get lost. 4951
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FeliciaFar Active Indicator LED Icon
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 3:45pm  
Maybe gypsies? 4951
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iCarr Active Indicator LED Icon 1
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 3:49pm  
as the area gets more urban, you'll see more of panhandlers. they are just part of the cityscape. i am not sure whether it is illegal or not but i don't see any reason to get so upset.  if it offends you then like nancy reagan said 'just say no'
 
@ProblemAgain: Yes it is illegalSec. 28-46. Aggressive panhandling.(a)The following words, terms, and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, unless the context of their usage clearly indicates another meaning:             Automated teller machine or ATM means a machine, other than a telephone, that is capable of being operated by a patron to communicate to a financial institution: (1)A request to withdraw money from an account directly or under a line of credit previously authorized;             (2)An instruction to deposit money in an account with the financial institution;(3)An instruction to transfer money between one or more accounts maintained with the financial institution;             (4)An instruction to apply money against an indebtedness to the financial institution; or             (5)A request for information concerning the balance of the account with the financial institution.             Fuel dispensing device means a pump or other machine utilized for dispensing fuel to motor vehicles for a fee. Pay telephone means any coin-operated or credit or debit card reader operated telephone located on any public or private property that is accessible for public use. Parking meter means any coin-operated meter utilized to charge for parking a motor vehicle on public property. Parking fee collection box means a device utilized to collect coins or currency as a charge for parking a motor vehicle on private property. Public place means a street, sidewalk, or other place that is open to the public. Request means any imperative instruction, whether verbal or non-verbal, by a solicitee to a solicitor to desist the solicitation including but not limited to words or gestures such as "stop," "back off," "stay back," "get away," "leave me alone," or "withdraw." Solicitation means the act of panhandling by seeking through a communication with another person, whether by gesture or verbally, funds or goods for food, personal favors (such as trips, transportation, clothing, or other), drink, lodging, vehicle fare, or any other purpose to directly benefit an individual or his family members. Solicitee means any individual to whom a solicitor, as defined herein, directs a solicitation. Solicitor means any person who engages in the act of solicitation as defined above. Transit facility means a facility that: (1)Is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO);             (2)Constitutes a permanent and integral part of the transit system of METRO;(3)Is designed to serve as a point from which METRO patrons take ingress and egress from the METRO transit system; and             (4)Includes one or more of the following structures: a sign or signs indicating a transit stop or pick-up point, a shelter for transit patrons or benches or chairs for transit patrons.             (b)Immediately upon any request from a solicitee to a solicitor, a solicitor who is in a public place at the moment the request is made shall discontinue the solicitation until there is a space of at least eight feet between the solicitor and the solicitee or, in the alternative, discontinue all efforts to engage in the solicitation if within eight feet proximity to a requesting solicitee.             (c)For the purposes of subsection (b) of this section, distance shall be measured from any extension of the solicitor's body, including without limitation any sign or other object being used or carried by the solicitor, to any part of the solicitee's body.             (d)Regardless of whether any request is made by the solicitee to the solicitor, no solicitor shall engage in solicitation within a distance of eight feet from any ATM, pay telephone, parking meter, parking fee collection box, transit facility, fuel dispensing device, or outdoor dining establishment, including, but not limited to, a sidewalk cafe.             (e)For the purposes of subsection (d) of this section, distance shall be measured from any extension of the solicitor's body, including without limitation any sign or other object being used or carried by the solicitor, to any part of the physical structure of the ATM, pay telephone, parking meter, parking fee collection box, transit facility, fuel dispensing device, or outdoor dining establishment, including but not limited to, a sidewalk cafe.             (f)Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in section 1-6 of this Code.             (Ord. No. 92-390, § 2, 4-8-92; Ord. No. 92-1449, § 48, 11-4-92; Ord. No. 02-504, § 3, 6-12-02; Ord. No. 2011-655, §§ 2—4, 8-3-2011)
4951
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DVaz Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 3:55pm  
It's illegal in the City of Houston city limits. Doubt there are ordinances in Humble or Porter. 4951
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SMcLaurin813 Active Indicator LED Icon  New Member
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 3:55pm  
The way I think about it is if I have it to give, I will gladly give it. If they truly needed it then I have done my good deed. If they are scammers, well, that's something they will one day have to answer for. I don't pretend to know everyone's circumstances and I give on the hopes they will use it to better their situation. And trust me, I don't have much to spare myself.  4951
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ProblemAgain Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:05pm  

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>> as the area gets more urban, you'll see more of panhandlers. they are just part of the cityscape. i am not sure whether it is illegal or not but i don't see any reason to get so upset.  if it offends you then like nancy reagan said 'just say no'
 
@ProblemAgain: Yes it is illegalSec. 28-46. Aggressive panhandling.(a)The following words, terms, and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, unless the context of their usage clearly indicates another meaning:             Automated teller machine or ATM means a machine, other than a telephone, that is capable of being operated by a patron to communicate to a financial institution: (1)A request to withdraw money from an account directly or under a line of credit previously authorized;             (2)An instruction to deposit money in an account with the financial institution;(3)An instruction to transfer money between one or more accounts maintained with the financial institution;             (4)An instruction to apply money against an indebtedness to the financial institution; or             (5)A request for information concerning the balance of the account with the financial institution.             Fuel dispensing device means a pump or other machine utilized for dispensing fuel to motor vehicles for a fee. Pay telephone means any coin-operated or credit or debit card reader operated telephone located on any public or private property that is accessible for public use. Parking meter means any coin-operated meter utilized to charge for parking a motor vehicle on public property. Parking fee collection box means a device utilized to collect coins or currency as a charge for parking a motor vehicle on private property. Public place means a street, sidewalk, or other place that is open to the public. Request means any imperative instruction, whether verbal or non-verbal, by a solicitee to a solicitor to desist the solicitation including but not limited to words or gestures such as "stop," "back off," "stay back," "get away," "leave me alone," or "withdraw." Solicitation means the act of panhandling by seeking through a communication with another person, whether by gesture or verbally, funds or goods for food, personal favors (such as trips, transportation, clothing, or other), drink, lodging, vehicle fare, or any other purpose to directly benefit an individual or his family members. Solicitee means any individual to whom a solicitor, as defined herein, directs a solicitation. Solicitor means any person who engages in the act of solicitation as defined above. Transit facility means a facility that: (1)Is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO);             (2)Constitutes a permanent and integral part of the transit system of METRO;(3)Is designed to serve as a point from which METRO patrons take ingress and egress from the METRO transit system; and             (4)Includes one or more of the following structures: a sign or signs indicating a transit stop or pick-up point, a shelter for transit patrons or benches or chairs for transit patrons.             (b)Immediately upon any request from a solicitee to a solicitor, a solicitor who is in a public place at the moment the request is made shall discontinue the solicitation until there is a space of at least eight feet between the solicitor and the solicitee or, in the alternative, discontinue all efforts to engage in the solicitation if within eight feet proximity to a requesting solicitee.             (c)For the purposes of subsection (b) of this section, distance shall be measured from any extension of the solicitor's body, including without limitation any sign or other object being used or carried by the solicitor, to any part of the solicitee's body.             (d)Regardless of whether any request is made by the solicitee to the solicitor, no solicitor shall engage in solicitation within a distance of eight feet from any ATM, pay telephone, parking meter, parking fee collection box, transit facility, fuel dispensing device, or outdoor dining establishment, including, but not limited to, a sidewalk cafe.             (e)For the purposes of subsection (d) of this section, distance shall be measured from any extension of the solicitor's body, including without limitation any sign or other object being used or carried by the solicitor, to any part of the physical structure of the ATM, pay telephone, parking meter, parking fee collection box, transit facility, fuel dispensing device, or outdoor dining establishment, including but not limited to, a sidewalk cafe.             (f)Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in section 1-6 of this Code.             (Ord. No. 92-390, § 2, 4-8-92; Ord. No. 92-1449, § 48, 11-4-92; Ord. No. 02-504, § 3, 6-12-02; Ord. No. 2011-655, §§ 2—4, 8-3-2011)
 
@iCarr: what legal entity does this code cover?  the complete statute is not there. you copied only the section defining the terms used in the statute thus the beginning terminology as aggressive panhandling. as i understand it aggressive panhandling  (which is another term for coercing money by intimidation) is illegal but asking for money is not .thus you have the churches at the stoplights and the firefighters and the scout troops as well as the disabled vet in a wheelchair who used to 'sell' crosses to motorists at the 1314/59 intersection
4951
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monyhoney Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:11pm  
Don't give them money! Refer them to an organization that can provide help and support organizations that help those in need such as HAAM, Society of St. Stephen, St. Vincent DePaul are just a few suggestions. If they truly need help they will go there. If you give them money, they won't go away. It's like feeding a stray animal. 4951
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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:11pm  
From my understanding, the police typically don't get involved with panhandlers unless:1.  They are accosting people and being too aggressive or annoying2.  If they are causing traffic problems.  I've seen one officer talking to a panhandler at a busy intersection and basically he just warned him to stay on the median until traffic is stopped for a red light and then get back on the median when the light turns green.The best way to ignore them is to not make eye-contact. 4951
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monyhoney Active Indicator LED Icon 17
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:11pm  
Don't give them money! Refer them to an organization that can provide help and support organizations that help those in need such as HAAM, Society of St. Stephen, St. Vincent DePaul are just a few suggestions. If they truly need help they will go there. If you give them money, they won't go away. It's like feeding a stray animal. 4951
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MarT Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:21pm  
There's an organization in Denver called Step 13, it was started by a man who was an alcoholic and lived on the streets, he turned his life around and opened this place.  They take addicted men off the street and help them turn their lives around.  It's a tough love place, you screw up and your out.  They accept no government money, so they don't have to answer to the government.  As far as these things go, they are quite successful.  The man who started it died last year, but I heard him interviewed frequently and he asked people not to give people money.  He said it was selfish, you make you self feel a little better by giving them money, but in all likelihood you are feeding an addiction that could kill them.  He said, hand out vouchers for a meal at a shelter, etc..   Support a cause that helps them, but don't give them money.  I tend to be a real softy, so I often think of his words if I feel guilty, and then give to his organization. 4951
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mikeveronica Active Indicator LED Icon 1
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:23pm  
I might be wrong here, but I really think the families are a part of either a local cult or some type of gypsy family.  I have seen them as well and they are well dressed (not rags), look clean, and can spell.  They are obviously making money or they would move on.  I think the kid thing gets to a lot of people and they give more readily.  I saw a woman with a baby and a few other kids in front of the Walmart in Porter begging and several people stopped to give her money; sadly people who looked as if they needed the money themselves.  However, statistically, people with less money give more.  I guess they see themselves or what they could be.  I don't know.  My husband and I give out gift cards to strangers (not panhandlers) at Christmas (it is our gift to each other) and I know someone here on KU was collecting for the Star of Hope.  Pick what you want to give to, but don't support a cult or gypsies! 4951
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iCarr Active Indicator LED Icon 1
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:24pm  
@ProblemAgain: the above ordinance is city of Houston.Harris county and Montgomery county have no law on the books for unincorporated areas 4951
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ctl74 Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:27pm  
The way I think about it is if I have it to give, I will gladly give it. If they truly needed it then I have done my good deed. If they are scammers, well, that's something they will one day have to answer for. I don't pretend to know everyone's circumstances and I give on the hopes they will use it to better their situation. And trust me, I don't have much to spare myself. 
@SMcLaurin813: I used to have the saem mentality - I mean, (most of us) are taught to be good people and help one another, right?
 
When we moved here, I couldn't believe the number of panhandlers on the corners, in front of stores.... I had a family drive up alongside my car in a Walmart parking lot as my husband and I were putting groceries in and offer to sell us some cans of formula they had because they saw our infant and "their infant doesn't like that kind."
 
But now I realize that work is plentiful down here, compared to up North so I'd rather give my $ to the nice kid working at JCP who helped me carry out a heavy box to my car this morning. He went out of his way, when checking me out at the register, to do separate purchases in order to take the most advantage of a store coupon. I saved $60 bc of him - so I gave him $20 for his kindness, friendliness, and overall good attitude. I'll gladly help someone out if they need help and prove that they want to work and be nice. 4951
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ProblemAgain Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:31pm  
@ProblemAgain: the above ordinance is city of Houston.Harris county and Montgomery county have no law on the books for unincorporated areas
 
@iCarr: that explains it also...the city limits jogs here and there thru kingwood and the intersection of 59 and northpark is montgomery county
4951
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Odin Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 9 years ago   Dec 17, '14 4:37pm  
If you created a Venn diagram with bubbles of [truly needy, homeless, and pan handlers] there would be an very small intersection in the middle.  Truly needy have sources of assistance (which require some level of means testing).  Many homeless people don't pan handle nor accept any kind of aid at all (one reason they are homeless).   The rest are scammers who can make more than almost everyone here in income (add up their take for just a 15 min period).  Best to get to know those in real need and help them in the way that would benefit them most. 4951
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