Panhandlers - How do we stop the cottage industry with that grou

luannski : I would be afraid scammers would kick me ****...

ZMAN :
Someone has to call out those who encourage and support it. The fake cancer scams, the ones who do this for a living etc, If you hate your money...give it all away, just stop doing it to those at intersections

ZMAN :
Yeah we know that is what you say. But do you really do such a foolish thing? Because it is a distraction to drivers to have them in the intersection. It should be against the law to beg in the middle of the street.

EddyFree :
Yes. I've thought of making a sign and asking for money for a vacation to see what I might receive.

Feathersmith : It would stop if people would not give them anything.

EddyFree : You might wind up on the hood's Grizzly News!

MissAmericanPie : Because cops enforce laws, and these people are not breaking the law.

Feathersmith - i'm not sure we can stop them, but I would definitely get the word out to people that we don't give money to anybody with their hand out if we want to donate to a cause take your money directly to a neighbor or send your money directly to a charity.

1836 : Wrong. Cops just don't care to pursue….if you're sitting in your vehicle and they walk up to you with their fake vests and buckets within 8 feet, that's illegal here.Click2houston.com
" In general, the City of Houston Code of Ordinances, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 28-46, lists aggressive panhandling as a misdemeanor that is punishable with a fine of up to $500.
The ordinance defines panhandling as "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."
The ordinance covers panhandling in public spaces -- "a street, sidewalk, or other place that is open to the public." It also forbids panhandling, or soliciting, at ATMs , parking meters, parking fee collection boxes, and transit facilities.
Here is the catch, though. The ordinance stipulates that soliciting is ONLY illegal within eight feet of the person being solicited (the "solicitee"). If a panhandler solicits from a distance greater than eight feet from the solicitee, the action is considered legal."It's a fact other states, like Florida have investigated these people and found them to be driving Mercedes and living in upscale homes…but only bc they pursued it. Houston cops think they have better things to do…that doesn't make this activity legal. And since you can't give them money 8ft away unless you throw it, it's illegal.