I'm back a little close to two months now, and I'm glad to be back on Tulsa time. I'm looking to settle here once more, put down roots here after living in New Orleans and Biloxi (in that order) since the early 90's. Thing about home, it always brings you back somehow.
One thing I remember about downtown was all the panhandlers: you couldn't even go to the library downtown without getting approached. Stop for gas somewhere downtown, and somebody would approach you. Well, things seem to have changed as I've returned. My work these days as a chauffeur takes me all over the Tulsa area, from downtown to the burbs, to all the hotels and the airport. I take clients downtown, and believe it or not, the panhandlers don't approach me. Either the city passed some ordinances to this regard, or they just plain left the downtown area. I'm betting on the latter. Since coming back, it seems the panhandlers have moved into the burbs, and it's here that I want to relate my experiences, so as to give folks on the board a heads up and let them know about certain scams out there to better prepare yourselves just in case. I know, because I've been approached several times already.
Before we start: I'm not prejudiced nor racist, and I do believe in being charitable. But I won't let people take advantage of me either.
In order:
After visiting with friend in Sapulpa, I stopped off at the Quik Trip off of I-44 west and the turnpike area for a few items. Out front quick bite. As I was walking out, a young lady with exotic features (possibly light-skinned black or Puerto Rican/Dominican), about 19, and kinda fidgety in her manner, comes up to ask if I'd give her exactly $30 so she could take a cab to Wagoner, as she had no money; she also hinted that she could "work for it," if that's what I wanted. Well, I know that taking a cab anywhere locally in any city may not be prohibitively expensive, but it don't come cheap either. But Wagoner is what, 50 miles away from that part of town; a cab to Wagoner, however, may set you back at least $100 if not more.
Given her movements and her insistence of $30, as well as her argumentativeness, I took her to be a crackhead or addicted to some other substance: for sure not on the up-and-up. Supposedly she lives in that area of town, so be careful and exercise caution if she approaches you.
Next is in the 51st and Lewis area. After getting off duty and subsequently visiting at the apartment of another friend, a young white female, ash-blonde hair, stops me in the parking lot to ask if I could give her money for a cab out to the North Side. Like the prvios female, she was clearly in withdrawal and argumentative. I bolted toward my truck and took off. Since she need a cab, she also does not seem to have a car, and must be indigenous to that part of town.
Finally, last week, while enjoying dinner at the Golden Corral at 21st and Memorial, I'm approached by a young black male, early 20s, kind of scruffy looking, probably hadn't bathed for a week. After rubbing shoulders with everyone else there, he tries to sit at my table, to hustle food, and exactly $40 to pay to someone he wants to stay with at 64th and Peoria (didn't someone on this board say that was "the hood" ?). Claimed he worked for a call center at 81st and Lewis and claimed to come from Atlanta to attend school at ORU. Recited a rap for me (sans beatbox or sampling to accompany him), and said that Jamaica was in need of the Gospel. After declining his requests, he petulantly went on to the next person.
Now, I'm glad to be back to town and all, but this panhandling is way too much. So if any of these sterling examples of humanity approach you, don't walk away. Run as fast as your feet will carry you.
I get hit up for cash about 20 times in south Tulsa for every one time downtown.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
I get hit up for cash about 20 times in south Tulsa for every one time downtown.
I figure, if they spent as much time and expended an equal amount of energy looking for gainful employment donkey they do in trying to hustle people out of their hard-earned money, they'd be in a much better place in life. Liberal as I am in so much of my politics, I still believe in honest work for honest pay, as well as personal resposibility.
quote:
Originally posted by mr.jaynes
As I was walking out, a young lady with exotic features (possibly light-skinned black or Puerto Rican/Dominican
well, was she HAWT?[}:)]
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by mr.jaynes
As I was walking out, a young lady with exotic features (possibly light-skinned black or Puerto Rican/Dominican
well, was she HAWT?[}:)]
Thing is, despite showing some degree of addiction to some illegal substance, she probably was not far into the addiction to really affect her looks.
What do you mean by "hot" anyway?
I've noticed a huge increase lately, particularly on 15th street between Peoria and Harvard. And many of them are so brazen, they come into businesses and ask for money! I've never been asked for money downtown, it's always in SOBO, the QT at 15th and Denver, or along Cherry Street. I've also had it happen at the Reasor's at 21st and Yale, and the Albertson's (now Reasor's) at 15th and Yale. I guess they go where the people are, and downtown ain't it.
It can be VERY scary to be approached when I'm holding one child, holding hand of another, lugging diaper bag full of baby stuff and some loser comes up to me for $$$$. Pisses me off!!![:(!]
Something should be done, but what?
Ive had another expereince in Dallas. Checking into a nice hotel in Addison, I get hit up in a parking lot by a nicely dressed couple that is "stranded." They want $$ for a hotel room. Not a hotel room but $$ for a "hotel room."
According to the manager, this is the new scam. People travelling driving rental cars and checking into a nice hotel are the demographic to have some cash on them, so they have become the new mark.
The hotel manager recognized them and said they work the nicer Addison area hotels quite a bit.
quote:
Originally posted by Kashmir
It can be VERY scary to be approached when I'm holding one child, holding hand of another, lugging diaper bag full of baby stuff and some loser comes up to me for $$$$. Pisses me off!!![:(!]
Something should be done, but what?
Did this happen in Tulsa? Also, it depends how they put their requests out there. Are they asking? Are they telling? Are they demanding? Not just what they want, but also how bad they want it and how they make their wants known. While residing in New Orleans, I saw that they came in different shapes and sizes and intent. But I imagine they are the same wherever you go.
True story. After leaving work one night (I tended bar at night in a restaurant there for a time), I walked down to the French Quarter, when right on Bourbon Street, a large framed guy comes up to me and asks me if I can give him $5 for some reason. Well, I tell him no and try to walk around him. He kept following me, trying to get me to give in. I refused and walked faster. It was getting tense every minute, because I honestly thought the situation would have turned violent, but fortunately not. Come to find out he hung out there all the time and hassled anybody he could; supposedly he tended to try to shake down the tourists first, then locals.
Then another evening, I went to the Wal-Mart in Metairie (Jefferson Parish), a suburb of New Orleans. When I walked out of the store, there was a woman hanging about the parking lot who wanted money to buy chicken. What was odd was a week later, she was there again, only that time, she wanted money to buy hot dogs. She seemed harmless enough, but nothing says she couldn't get off her rear end and get a job like the rest of us.
So they seem to be different. All depends on where we are, who's asking and what they want. I do not help too many of them. I think i have a seventh sense for who's genuinely in dire straits, who's in their situation because they chose to be, who's brought it on themselves, and who's just running a scam.
quote:
Originally posted by tulsa1603
I've noticed a huge increase lately, particularly on 15th street between Peoria and Harvard. And many of them are so brazen, they come into businesses and ask for money! I've never been asked for money downtown, it's always in SOBO, the QT at 15th and Denver, or along Cherry Street. I've also had it happen at the Reasor's at 21st and Yale, and the Albertson's (now Reasor's) at 15th and Yale. I guess they go where the people are, and downtown ain't it.
If they spent as much time trying to find work at these establishments as they do trying to shake down their customers, they'd be better off.
quote:
Originally posted by Aa5drvr
Ive had another expereince in Dallas. Checking into a nice hotel in Addison, I get hit up in a parking lot by a nicely dressed couple that is "stranded." They want $$ for a hotel room. Not a hotel room but $$ for a "hotel room."
According to the manager, this is the new scam. People travelling driving rental cars and checking into a nice hotel are the demographic to have some cash on them, so they have become the new mark.
The hotel manager recognized them and said they work the nicer Addison area hotels quite a bit.
That's good to know. From here on out, whenever I take a passenger to a hotel in the area, I plan to advise them of this scam.
at any give point in the day you can see several on 71st usually between Mingo and 169. There are about 3-4 "regular ones" that I see several times a week. After reading your post, I do remember going to the downtown library as a kid with my dad to the book sale they had in the basement and do remember all types of people walking up to us asking for money. I havent been to that library in years but do go downtown on occasion to eat coneys and see some games, and have yet to come across one in quite some time. They have definitely moved out to the burbs and south Tulsa.
quote:
Originally posted by TUalum0982
at any give point in the day you can see several on 71st usually between Mingo and 169. There are about 3-4 "regular ones" that I see several times a week. After reading your post, I do remember going to the downtown library as a kid with my dad to the book sale they had in the basement and do remember all types of people walking up to us asking for money. I havent been to that library in years but do go downtown on occasion to eat coneys and see some games, and have yet to come across one in quite some time. They have definitely moved out to the burbs and south Tulsa.
those at 71st/169 should be run over. they are professional con artists.
the most tenacious one lately is the dude with the cane who works 15th street... i get asked by him twice a month... he's always in front of kilkennys /hideaway... i usually say "nope, sorry" and go about my businesss but last saturday, while going in to eat (the wife and kids) he approached the car while we were unloading and that realy pissed me off...
i've been asked by two different bums inside empire in the past 6 months... one was a big dude and a little ominous... after i said no, he started asking only the females in the bar... i alerted the bartender and the bouncer through him out and not in a nice way...
also got asked by slick lookin' dude inside the mercury lounge at 9 pm on a thursday... he really went all out... he was really flamboyant, he burst in the door and asked for everyone's attention.... he was in a late model overcoat and suit (thrift store special), his hair slicked down and a $1 "dolce and gabana" watch... his elaborate story included bus tickets printed with his name (he provided a texas ID to prove it) and tickets with is "daughter's" name but alas, he was $20 short of buying one for his wife... he had lost his credit card and was unable to purchase the third ticket... he was trying to raise $20 but would take "anything you can spare" and offered his "christmas present " watch for sale "make him an offer"... this was all quite entertaining... he was a true con-artist.... it was like watching a street performer... totally reminded me of "the grifters"...
The panhandlers certainly have changed the last few years, sometimes I wonder if it isn't Katrina. New Orleans always had a ton of aggressive and often entertaining panhandlers and con men. I wonder if since the hurricane a few dozen of them made their way here. We are America's most charitable city, charitable to some means sucker to others.
We have the same ones wander down from 12&12 on an almost daily basis.
They sit/nap/drink beer behind the Citgo dumpster at 41st and I44 and then about lunchtime and again about 5 they hit the offramps asking for handouts.
"Looking for work" riiiight.
quote:
Originally posted by TeeDub
We have the same ones wander down from 12&12 on an almost daily basis.
They sit/nap/drink beer behind the Citgo dumpster at 41st and I44 and then about lunchtime and again about 5 they hit the offramps asking for handouts.
"Looking for work" riiiight.
I enjoy watching the guys at 14th & Utica. Great begging spot because its between the two hospitals guaranteeing a source of fresh meat for them. A van drops them off. My son and I were watching one morning when this occurred and I pointed out to him that they were using a cell phone. Hard to feign poverty when you can afford a cell phone and have transportation. You give to these guys and its like throwing money out the window at high speed.
Don't feed the trolls!
quote:
Originally posted by swake
The panhandlers certainly have changed the last few years, sometimes I wonder if it isn't Katrina. New Orleans always had a ton of aggressive and often entertaining panhandlers and con men. I wonder if since the hurricane a few dozen of them made their way here. We are America's most charitable city, charitable to some means sucker to others.
New Orleans was and is a great city, before and after the storm, and some (not all, but some) of that element is part of the charm-up to a point. I should know. I was born there, lived part of my childhood there before coming to Oklahoma. Visited relatives there before moving back there to attend college (University of New Orleans!) and even lived there after graduating before shoving off to Biloxi. Oscar Wilde called it one of America's three best cities (along with New York and San Francisco), and many songs have been written about New Orleans. Must have been doing something right.
The street culture there does have its finer points, sure. How many of us here have seen the musicians playing out on the street for money, or the street mimes? Talented individuals, for the most part.
One of my colleagues at the salon I worked at, on her off time, she'd come into the Quarter and set up as a "living statue." When I'd do the tour guide thang, we'd coordinate where she would be, I'd bring my tour group to where she was. I'd drop in a dollar or two, and with few exceptions, the rest of the group would do the same.
But for those who have visited and have been inconvenienced by the more negative aspects of it, I know exactly where you're coming from, trust me. The thing with the panhadlers in New Orleans, they were by far a little more aggressive than those in Tulsa, and while they were more concentrated in the Quarter and the area immediately surrounding it, you never knew when one would pop up out of nowhere to make their pitch. Typically, it seemed they focused on the tourists, but those of us living there got hit on too.
There was this one scam where a panhandler would come up to the unsuspecting passer-by and try to bet them that they knew exactly where the mark got their shoes; sometimes it was just a matter of talking trash, but sometimes it would be an actual bet for money, or even the shoes themselves. And some of the people out there running this scam, you had to be a little more firm with them than with others out there, if you catch my drift. Sometimes a "get out of my face" was just what they needed, but other times, you had to draw the line and show that you were more than willing to flex a little muscle if need be. I'm not habitually pugilistic, and never had to resort to using my fists to get them out of my path, but it's just telegraphing a willingness to do that if you really had to.
I remember once, I had to come into town to find out my hours at the restaurant, and feeling my belly rumble a bit, I stopped off at the Popeye's on Canal Street for a bite. There was this scroungy, unkempt and rather smelly dude coming around to each person sitting down to ask if there was anything on our order that we didn't want and could we give it to him. Mainly unsuccessful, he then plopped himself down to loiter at the Popeye's. Seemed he was giving the message that he was going to stay put unless we fed him.
But in any urban area, you'll find that. I've been to New York (where not only my sister lives, but also have attended many beauty industry shows there) and they're aggressive there too. Same thing with Miami and Los Angeles. It's just a matter of how firm one can be in an urban setting, I suppose.
I enjoy watching the guys at 14th & Utica. Great begging spot because its between the two hospitals guaranteeing a source of fresh meat for them. A van drops them off. My son and I were watching one morning when this occurred and I pointed out to him that they were using a cell phone. Hard to feign poverty when you can afford a cell phone and have transportation. You give to these guys and its like throwing money out the window at high speed.
[/quote]
That is also good to know. I'll definitely keep my guard up a little more in that neighborhood. But keep my guard up nonetheless.
quote:
Originally posted by brunoflipper
the most tenacious one lately is the dude with the cane who works 15th street... i get asked by him twice a month... he's always in front of kilkennys /hideaway... i usually say "nope, sorry" and go about my businesss but last saturday, while going in to eat (the wife and kids) he approached the car while we were unloading and that realy pissed me off...
i've been asked by two different bums inside empire in the past 6 months... one was a big dude and a little ominous... after i said no, he started asking only the females in the bar... i alerted the bartender and the bouncer through him out and not in a nice way...
also got asked by slick lookin' dude inside the mercury lounge at 9 pm on a thursday... he really went all out... he was really flamboyant, he burst in the door and asked for everyone's attention.... he was in a late model overcoat and suit (thrift store special), his hair slicked down and a $1 "dolce and gabana" watch... his elaborate story included bus tickets printed with his name (he provided a texas ID to prove it) and tickets with is "daughter's" name but alas, he was $20 short of buying one for his wife... he had lost his credit card and was unable to purchase the third ticket... he was trying to raise $20 but would take "anything you can spare" and offered his "christmas present " watch for sale "make him an offer"... this was all quite entertaining... he was a true con-artist.... it was like watching a street performer... totally reminded me of "the grifters"...
[/quote]
Be careful with those guys: people like that, whether they're living on the street or not, they are the ones who could blow at any time.
quote:
Originally posted by brunoflipper
the most tenacious one lately is the dude with the cane who works 15th street... i get asked by him twice a month... he's always in front of kilkennys /hideaway... i usually say "nope, sorry" and go about my businesss but last saturday, while going in to eat (the wife and kids) he approached the car while we were unloading and that realy pissed me off...
i've been asked by two different bums inside empire in the past 6 months... one was a big dude and a little ominous... after i said no, he started asking only the females in the bar... i alerted the bartender and the bouncer through him out and not in a nice way...
also got asked by slick lookin' dude inside the mercury lounge at 9 pm on a thursday... he really went all out... he was really flamboyant, he burst in the door and asked for everyone's attention.... he was in a late model overcoat and suit (thrift store special), his hair slicked down and a $1 "dolce and gabana" watch... his elaborate story included bus tickets printed with his name (he provided a texas ID to prove it) and tickets with is "daughter's" name but alas, he was $20 short of buying one for his wife... he had lost his credit card and was unable to purchase the third ticket... he was trying to raise $20 but would take "anything you can spare" and offered his "christmas present " watch for sale "make him an offer"... this was all quite entertaining... he was a true con-artist.... it was like watching a street performer... totally reminded me of "the grifters"...
The one with cane we nick named Hop-A-Long.....He has been around for about 2or 3 years...He had a car for a period about 8 months ago....
I am saddened that I don't ever get hit up for money. Do I just look poor?
Last time I did, I told the guy about how much money I owed on my house, car and credit cards. I said to him that if he was truly homeless, he was probably even and I was behind. I then asked him for money.
Another good way to get these panhandlers to stop bothering you is asking them what they need the money for in the first place, pretty much calling their bluff. If they say something such as "food," aske them what kinds of food they are looking to buy. Then offer to go out and buy it for them. If they hem and haw about it, you know it ain't about the food, it's about feeding a haboit or some other vice. And it works with just about anything. If they ask for money a cab, for example, offer to call them a cab, and hint that you may be willing to pay for it. Then reach for the cell phone, and watch them scamper out of the way. Note that I didn't advise to actually go out and pay for anything, or even hand them any money. It's just a matter of turning it all around on them.
quote:
Originally posted by mr.jaynes
Another good way to get these panhandlers to stop bothering you is asking them what they need the money for in the first place, pretty much calling their bluff. If they say something such as "food," aske them what kinds of food they are looking to buy. Then offer to go out and buy it for them. If they hem and haw about it, you know it ain't about the food, it's about feeding a haboit or some other vice. And it works with just about anything. If they ask for money a cab, for example, offer to call them a cab, and hint that you may be willing to pay for it. Then reach for the cell phone, and watch them scamper out of the way. Note that I didn't advise to actually go out and pay for anything, or even hand them any money. It's just a matter of turning it all around on them.
I always ask them if they take PayPal then I leave them to ponder on that.
I was crossing 15th once and could see two of them across from street sizing me up......They had a duffel bag and left it to approach me I was still on the opposite corner from them...Well when the street was clear I took off running at top speed the guy did not have time to get anything out of his mouth....He was standing there with his mouth open....Well when I passed them I grabbed their bag and kept running down the street, they did not know what the hell to think or what had just happened.....heh.....Anyway I dropped the bag where they could see it and kept going.....
I live at the University Club near downtown at 17th and Carson. It's easily seen from Denver between Riverside and 15th street. Obviously its the huge round building that I also have a top floor office on.
As nice as that is. I often go to QT at 15th and Denver for fuel, food and drinks.
During the day, 99% of the time, I have someone either approach me or sizing me up, trying to determine whether or not to approach me.
Occassionally I'll have the same problem at night. It makes me sick. I work hard for every dime, and I take a great deal of risk in advertising and marketing. To have someone come and ask for money is just annoying.
One time I was at Midfirst at 4th and Boston and I had just checked out $500. I'm immediately shocked as a man walks around the corner asking me for help.
Actually I have no idea what came over me... whether it was the internal thankfulness that he wasn't trying to rob me, or the thought that if I help him, he might try to rob me, or may rob me if I don't help him. I seriously to this day do not know why, but I asked him what was going on, and I ended up driving him to the very QT I'm complaining about and bought him a soft drink and a sandwich. But ... he never asked for a dime.
As I left him there, he simply stood by the bus stop waiting for the morning bus which was surely many hours away.
Nevertheless, I despise being approached most of the time.
Just yesterday I went to the Taco Bueno near 31st and Sheridan and what appeared to be a homeless man was standing at their front door asking every person that entered for money.
I'm a night person. Sometimes I will just drive around for half an hour or so to relax, even if it's 4am.
I've often noticed what appears to be homeless people hanging outside of the YMCA, as well as stragglers finding their way from Greyhound to the Salvation Army.
All with employment at 95 to 96%.
quote:
Originally posted by Breadburner
quote:
Originally posted by brunoflipper
the most tenacious one lately is the dude with the cane who works 15th street... i get asked by him twice a month... he's always in front of kilkennys /hideaway... i usually say "nope, sorry" and go about my businesss but last saturday, while going in to eat (the wife and kids) he approached the car while we were unloading and that realy pissed me off...
i've been asked by two different bums inside empire in the past 6 months... one was a big dude and a little ominous... after i said no, he started asking only the females in the bar... i alerted the bartender and the bouncer through him out and not in a nice way...
also got asked by slick lookin' dude inside the mercury lounge at 9 pm on a thursday... he really went all out... he was really flamboyant, he burst in the door and asked for everyone's attention.... he was in a late model overcoat and suit (thrift store special), his hair slicked down and a $1 "dolce and gabana" watch... his elaborate story included bus tickets printed with his name (he provided a texas ID to prove it) and tickets with is "daughter's" name but alas, he was $20 short of buying one for his wife... he had lost his credit card and was unable to purchase the third ticket... he was trying to raise $20 but would take "anything you can spare" and offered his "christmas present " watch for sale "make him an offer"... this was all quite entertaining... he was a true con-artist.... it was like watching a street performer... totally reminded me of "the grifters"...
The one with cane we nick named Hop-A-Long.....He has been around for about 2or 3 years...He had a car for a period about 8 months ago....
Yes, I have also been approached numerous times by the cane guy. Every time was at the Phillips 66 on 15th & Utica.
There is one that will follow you after she has made the initial request. Once she knows where you live watch out. She approached me broad daylight on the Westport side of the trail, asked for money, I said no. She apparently followed me and tried to break into my apartment the next weekend. People who thwarted her identified her down to the last detail. She was never caught. She has also been seen harassing BCBS workers who park in the 15th and Main St lot. But I've never seen her at QT. She sometimes has a little kid with her and says he needs insulin. I hope I see her at QT someday when the cops are there.
quote:
Originally posted by cks511
There is one that will follow you after she has made the initial request. Once she knows where you live watch out. She approached me broad daylight on the Westport side of the trail, asked for money, I said no. She apparently followed me and tried to break into my apartment the next weekend. People who thwarted her identified her down to the last detail. She was never caught. She has also been seen harassing BCBS workers who park in the 15th and Main St lot. But I've never seen her at QT. She sometimes has a little kid with her and says he needs insulin. I hope I see her at QT someday when the cops are there.
There's also another one who hangs out off of West 23rd across the bridge, claims she needs $5 to take her son to McDonalds.
So, nobody has had them knock on your front door before? I gave her a $10 and never saw her again.
What also gets me steamed is when I refuse to give anything, and I get accused of being racist.
Panhandlers tick me off too.
They do seem to be everywhere now. I was recently approached inside a Barnes & Noble.
What do you guys think? Is it a sign of the times, or do we simply need better police enforcement to deter this type of activity?
[/quote]
There's also another one who hangs out off of West 23rd across the bridge, claims she needs $5 to take her son to McDonalds.
[/quote]
That's probably her, she's been known to use that line and there's a diaper line too.
Has anyone seen the black lady who dresses nice, works the intersections usually with a couple of other people and they all have plastic buckets? They look like they are working for some real charity, but the whole thing seems fishy to me.
quote:
Originally posted by cks511
There's also another one who hangs out off of West 23rd across the bridge, claims she needs $5 to take her son to McDonalds.
[/quote]
That's probably her, she's been known to use that line and there's a diaper line too.
[/quote]
I ran into her after taking an executive client to one of the industrial sites out that way. I stopped off to get a bite at a fast food place, and she came up to me. I told her that $5 wasn't gonna get her and her son too far at McDonald's, so i assume she had another scam she was working.
I hear this a lot about Tulsa and it concerns me. Living in the DFW metro area of over 6 million people, I frequent both Fort Worth and Dallas and never have this problem. Now, if there were certain neighborhoods you went to you might encounter this but it sounds like a big deal in Tulsa. Is the homeless problem that bad there? The last time I was in Atlanta, I was approached by someone outside a convenience store but it wasn't a song and dance routine. He simply asked me for a couple of bucks, which I obliged.
BTW, WHAT THE HECK is the Golden Corral doing allowing people in their establishment bothering patrons? Is that the kind of service one can expect in Tulsa? Being bothered by homeless people in a restaurant? What gives Tulsa?
We've been approached outside our hotel in Dallas by a bum asking for money and brandishing a gun while on a bowl game trip before (back in college recently.) Don't say it doesn't happen... maybe not where you live.
And for gods sake stop giving anybody money. It's like giving a bear a twinkie.
quote:
Originally posted by mr.jaynes
What also gets me steamed is when I refuse to give anything, and I get accused of being racist.
well, then ask them if they would like a reason to call you racist. like turn around and say "how tight would you like your noose?"
listen, when panhandling crosses over into that context they have broken the law and can be cited. The city has a specific ordinance against agressive panhandling.
About a year ago, I was downtown when a rather portly (and drunk) lady asked for money so she could buy a bus ticket. She had some sort of unlikely story about needing to visit family out of town ... can't remember where. And, no, I didn't give her money.
About two weeks later, she came up and started up the same spiel. But I interrupted, "Didn't you give me the same lame story two weeks ago? Sounds like you need a new line of bullsh*t." She turned and cussed all the way up the street. She knew she'd been had.
I've encountered panhandlers in just about every city I've been that's over 50,000 people. I don't consider Tulsa unique at all. The highest concentration of bums I've ever seen, in fact, is in relatively small Champaign, Ill., on Green Street near the campus.
quote:
Originally posted by rwarn17588
About a year ago, I was downtown when a rather portly (and drunk) lady asked for money so she could buy a bus ticket. She had some sort of unlikely story about needing to visit family out of town ... can't remember where. And, no, I didn't give her money.
About two weeks later, she came up and started up the same spiel. But I interrupted, "Didn't you give me the same lame story two weeks ago? Sounds like you need a new line of bullsh*t." She turned and cussed all the way up the street. She knew she'd been had.
I've encountered panhandlers in just about every city I've been that's over 50,000 people. I don't consider Tulsa unique at all. The highest concentration of bums I've ever seen, in fact, is in relatively small Champaign, Ill., on Green Street near the campus.
oh no, the worst concentration I've seen is in Seattle....and I hear it is much worse to the south in Portland.
I think the issue there is really it has become a culture. That is what we need to avoid happening here.
It reminds me of the SP episode where the panhandlers take over and they have to lure them to a new city.
How much is a one way ticket to OKC? I'd be willing to offer them that [}:)]
quote:
Originally posted by Hawkins
Panhandlers tick me off too.
They do seem to be everywhere now. I was recently approached inside a Barnes & Noble.
What do you guys think? Is it a sign of the times, or do we simply need better police enforcement to deter this type of activity?
Not so much a sign of the times, as there's always been panhandling. Perhaps the only thing that has changed is that the panhandlers become more daring and calculating. Perhaps the outlying areas is where the real money's at for them. But I do think that the police should be vigilant in all parts of town, and not just the downtown area.
quote:
Originally posted by TulsaFan-inTexas
BTW, WHAT THE HECK is the Golden Corral doing allowing people in their establishment bothering patrons? Is that the kind of service one can expect in Tulsa? Being bothered by homeless people in a restaurant? What gives Tulsa?
I don't believe that Golden Corral allows them into the establishment, so much as this particular person simply slipped through, and from there, launched into doing his thing. I went back to Golden Corral last week for a bite, and didn't see him there (not that I was looking for this person, nor would I have left if he was there:I'm there for me, not him), so perhaps it was an isolated incident. But had I been approached by him or someone else trying to hustle me, I would take it to the manager and let them handle it.
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Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by mr.jaynes
What also gets me steamed is when I refuse to give anything, and I get accused of being racist.
well, then ask them if they would like a reason to call you racist. like turn around and say "how tight would you like your noose?"
listen, when panhandling crosses over into that context they have broken the law and can be cited. The city has a specific ordinance against agressive panhandling.
quote:
Originally posted by rwarn17588
About two weeks later, she came up and started up the same spiel. But I interrupted, "Didn't you give me the same lame story two weeks ago? Sounds like you need a new line of bullsh*t." She turned and cussed all the way up the street. She knew she'd been had.
I've done similar, calling them out on a particular hustle or scam, even if I never saw them before. Depending on the person, that is where the race card often gets played. Boiling it down to a hot-button issue like race, or to try to play on racial guilt, that's just plain brazen. I understand doing what you gotta do to survive, but that pretty much ends any communication at all between me and the other person. And yes, the police should be involved at that point.
quote:
Originally posted by EricP
And for gods sake stop giving anybody money. It's like giving a bear a twinkie.
Rather than giving them money, call the police. Give in once or twice, they probably won't consider it a charitable act, but rather something they are entitled to and thus proceed from that angle. Just call the law.
quote:
Originally posted by EricP
We've been approached outside our hotel in Dallas by a bum asking for money and brandishing a gun while on a bowl game trip before (back in college recently.) Don't say it doesn't happen... maybe not where you live.
And for gods sake stop giving anybody money. It's like giving a bear a twinkie.
I'm not saying it doesn't happen here, but I live here and travel all over the metroplex and it hasn't happened in 18 years.
It just sounds like this is a big problem in Tulsa. Perhaps people are keen to Tulsa being a charitable city. I don't know, but when dozens of people come on here and say that it happens on an almost daily basis it does appear to be a problem.
Got hit up "for a few pennies" today at 21st & Harvard Arby's. We pretty much ignored him and kept walking.
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
Has anyone seen the black lady who dresses nice, works the intersections usually with a couple of other people and they all have plastic buckets? They look like they are working for some real charity, but the whole thing seems fishy to me.
Have dealt with them many times. They claim they are with a church near 6th and Utica. Not too convinced.
quote:
Originally posted by TulsaMINI
Got hit up "for a few pennies" today at 21st & Harvard Arby's. We pretty much ignored him and kept walking.
Seems my lucky streak downtown, in terms of being approached by panhandlers, has finally come to an awkward end!
Within the last 24 hrs, I picked up a passenger at the airport, brought her to her hotel in south Tulsa (without incident) and then to an office building off Boston Avenue (a rather elegant building at that, but I digress), when we were approached approached by a large, heavy-set, balding black "gentleman" (given his demeanor, I use that term
gentleman very loosely), obviously homeless or just a professional panhandler, trying his hustle. But rather than trying to get a few bucks, he asked if he could "
hold a quarter, hold a quarter." It quickly became clear that he wasn't all there, possibly due to having huffed so much gold paint in his time-or something else. Obviously had the mind of a child, but probably brought on by plenty of drug usage.
After whisking my passenger through the front doors into the building, I pointed out that the people who frequent that building tend to think in terms far greater than quarters, all the while sizing him up in case the issue was going to be taken to the next level. When I picked up my passenger a few hours later, he was nowhere to be found, but, given that my driving frequently takes me to downtown Tulsa, I doubt I've seen the last of this person. So that's a heads-up to everyone else if this person approaches you.
quote:
Originally posted by Wilbur
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
Has anyone seen the black lady who dresses nice, works the intersections usually with a couple of other people and they all have plastic buckets? They look like they are working for some real charity, but the whole thing seems fishy to me.
Have dealt with them many times. They claim they are with a church near 6th and Utica. Not too convinced.
I should think that a church-sponsored carwash would be at a fixed location, such as the church parking lot. Smells fishy to me also. Then again, having lived in New Orleans, one finds out that sometimes, even some of the clergy have a scam or two.
But in the Tulsa area: Now, one evening some years ago (while visiting my parents in Broken Arrow, no less), I did get approached by someone who was collecting funds for the Unification Church (Reverend Moon's outfit), who was going to all the businesses and individuals in the area to collect funds for a planned drug-treatment facility that the church was going to put together. The guy in question (according to his own claim) was from Russia and beyond the church's fundraising pitch (obviously scripted), was limited in his comprehension of the English language. Has anyone been approached on this one?
Honestly, I have never heard of a place with soo many people hard-up or on the take, cept maybe the Bahamas.. at least they offer to braid your hair!
If anybody asking for so much as a quarter from me at anyplace I patronize they better be selling girl scout cookies.
If they want my money they better be doing something to earn it. I always give the guitar playing guy at fifth and main a buck. He's at least making a contribution instead of just looking for a handout.
quote:
Originally posted by mr.jaynes
quote:
Originally posted by cks511
There is one that will follow you after she has made the initial request. Once she knows where you live watch out. She approached me broad daylight on the Westport side of the trail, asked for money, I said no. She apparently followed me and tried to break into my apartment the next weekend. People who thwarted her identified her down to the last detail. She was never caught. She has also been seen harassing BCBS workers who park in the 15th and Main St lot. But I've never seen her at QT. She sometimes has a little kid with her and says he needs insulin. I hope I see her at QT someday when the cops are there.
There's also another one who hangs out off of West 23rd across the bridge, claims she needs $5 to take her son to McDonalds.
so the fiancee and I went into Wendys last night for a quick bite to eat after a trip to the store for some groceries and the strangest thing happened. About halfway through our meal, a man approached us and whipped out a 7 speed blender out of a reasors bag. And stated "only 6 dollars and it's yours, I need some grub". Now typically I would have said something to effect of "get the **** outta here I, I don't want your ****". But I was speechless, and was thinking to myself "did this really just happen". Needless to say, I told the guy after staring at him speechless for a few seconds "not interested, go try someone else." This was at the one near 71st and riverside.
quote:
Originally posted by TUalum0982
quote:
Originally posted by mr.jaynes
quote:
Originally posted by cks511
There is one that will follow you after she has made the initial request. Once she knows where you live watch out. She approached me broad daylight on the Westport side of the trail, asked for money, I said no. She apparently followed me and tried to break into my apartment the next weekend. People who thwarted her identified her down to the last detail. She was never caught. She has also been seen harassing BCBS workers who park in the 15th and Main St lot. But I've never seen her at QT. She sometimes has a little kid with her and says he needs insulin. I hope I see her at QT someday when the cops are there.
There's also another one who hangs out off of West 23rd across the bridge, claims she needs $5 to take her son to McDonalds.
so the fiancee and I went into Wendys last night for a quick bite to eat after a trip to the store for some groceries and the strangest thing happened. About halfway through our meal, a man approached us and whipped out a 7 speed blender out of a reasors bag. And stated "only 6 dollars and it's yours, I need some grub". Now typically I would have said something to effect of "get the **** outta here I, I don't want your ****". But I was speechless, and was thinking to myself "did this really just happen". Needless to say, I told the guy after staring at him speechless for a few seconds "not interested, go try someone else." This was at the one near 71st and riverside.
this happened to you IN Wendy's? I would have went to the manager and told him to remove the thug off the property.
quote:
Originally posted by inteller
quote:
Originally posted by TUalum0982
quote:
Originally posted by mr.jaynes
quote:
Originally posted by cks511
There is one that will follow you after she has made the initial request. Once she knows where you live watch out. She approached me broad daylight on the Westport side of the trail, asked for money, I said no. She apparently followed me and tried to break into my apartment the next weekend. People who thwarted her identified her down to the last detail. She was never caught. She has also been seen harassing BCBS workers who park in the 15th and Main St lot. But I've never seen her at QT. She sometimes has a little kid with her and says he needs insulin. I hope I see her at QT someday when the cops are there.
There's also another one who hangs out off of West 23rd across the bridge, claims she needs $5 to take her son to McDonalds.
so the fiancee and I went into Wendys last night for a quick bite to eat after a trip to the store for some groceries and the strangest thing happened. About halfway through our meal, a man approached us and whipped out a 7 speed blender out of a reasors bag. And stated "only 6 dollars and it's yours, I need some grub". Now typically I would have said something to effect of "get the **** outta here I, I don't want your ****". But I was speechless, and was thinking to myself "did this really just happen". Needless to say, I told the guy after staring at him speechless for a few seconds "not interested, go try someone else." This was at the one near 71st and riverside.
this happened to you IN Wendy's? I would have went to the manager and told him to remove the thug off the property.
yep just sitting there minding our own business. I would have except they had a huge line and were very short staffed. I could have told him myself, but once again, was caught quite off guard by what had just happened.
I got a funny one as I got of the expressway on 49th W. Ave:
Cold, broke, ugly.
God Bless!
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
I got a funny one as I got of the expressway on 49th W. Ave:
Cold, broke, ugly.
God Bless!
gotta love the west side!! There are some nice areas, but some crazy people around there.
I always like..."Need Beer".....
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
I got a funny one as I got of the expressway on 49th W. Ave:
Cold, broke, ugly.
God Bless!
well if it was a woman, ugly can be fixed with a brown bag if you want to float a Jackson for a BJ.
Downtown among safest areas in Tulsa, (//%22http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080217_1_A1_hItra07026%22) says the World.
Crime in the IDL accounts for a little more than 2% of the citywide total.
Cherry Street is the worst, with that McDonalds parking lot being mecca for panhandlers. I have gotten all sorts of stories: one guy said that he needed gas to drive to Okmulgee, and I said no. About two weeks later, heres the same guy, same story, except this time he offered to sell me gamecube games. Thats great, selling your kids video games to buy meth. Many times there have been panhandlers standing by the drive through menu, hitting up people in their cars as they try to order. Why McDonalds allows this, I don't know. They used to come into empire all the time, one dude tried to sell steaks from reasor's to customers. The doorguy isn't too fond of them, and usually kicks them out really fast (one panhandler pulled a box knife on him, which did not end well for that panhandler). I'm as charitable as the next guy, but people should be careful when approached by these guys. Many of these panhandlers are either mentally ill or addicted to drugs that can make them aggressive (crack, meth, paint). I still feel sorry for them, though.
The northbound exit ramp off I-75 at Southwest Blvd and 17th almost always has a panhandler. Sometimes he brings a female companion or a scruffy dog for added impact.
Another popular spot for panhandlers is the eastbound exit ramp off the BA at Utica.
I thought I'd give you my thoughts. I've travelled around a bit and been to cities with panhandling problems much worse than Tulsa, and with the petty crime that tends to accompany really bad panhandling and cities that have no problem.
I think the answer is based on two ideas, 'let the market sort the problem' and 'divide and rule'.
Firstly, you give some better behaved homeless people a legitimate item to sell, many areas have magazines written by the homeless. That way you are giving money, but actually getting something in return. The better the magazine the more sold, also the magazine can regulate who sells it, if people get too pushy the lose the right to sell it. They would also be restricted to the locations they can sell it to stop too many sellers congregating and getting into conflict with each other.
Secondly, people with skills can become licensed buskers and allowed to perform in set places.
This creates two types of homeless people now, the legal ones who have an income source and the rest. The legal ones now have a stake in insuring that the others don't give them a bad name or encroach onto their patch for selling magazines or busking. Now you have people out on the street all day long, who will tell someone to shove off and call the police on them if they feel someone is panhandling and the problem gets around 90% solved. Also people can feel fine in saying no, because they know there are legitimate people they can donate to.
Toss a paint balloon at one the next time you see one begging for meth money.
Toss a paint balloon at one the next time you see one begging for meth money.
It'll take more than tweakers (meth addicts) to make me leave Tulsa again, I promise you: I am here to stay. Still, I rate meth users and dealers around the same way I'd rate sex offenders-and they should be dealt with as such.
Did any of you see that recent South Park episode that dealt with this issue? Lol.
>>Sometimes he brings a female companion or a >>scruffy dog for added impact.
Sounds like Mathis Brothers commercial or the "1-800-2-sellhomes" lady.
quote:
Originally posted by Aa5drvr
>>Sometimes he brings a female companion or a >>scruffy dog for added impact.
Sounds like Mathis Brothers commercial or the "1-800-2-sellhomes" lady.
Lol no joke. Is that 1-800-2-sellhomes thing local? She sounds like an okie. I'll give her credit, the new commercials are far superior to those early ones.
I like the one where she is clutching the grandchild tightly, and after the child gives the "18002SELLHOMES!" she fights to get free and runs off. Awesome kid with some spirit!
Reading this, and other issues that have surfaced recently regarding the homeless, seems a little overwhelming.
It could amount to a broken cog in the wheel of progress in the Downtown area.... At least there is a plan in place, that is being moved forward, to disperse the homeless across the City and provide them with both support and housing. Possibly the cluster of sanctuaries for the less fortunate that takes up so much of Downtown will begin to be dismantled.
Although I am hopeful.... I am also thankful that we do not have the situation described below.
from the Daily Bulletin in Ontario CA.
Homless issue discussed at Ontario council meeting
Article Created: 02/20/2008 04:54:43 AM PST
ONTARIO - About 30 homeless people and their advocates appeared at the Ontario City Council meeting tonight, many holding handwritten cardboard signs reading: "Ontario has a heart" or "Emergency shelter = 15 beds. We need more!" and carrying enlarged photos of a dirty latrine allegedly maintained by the city for the 300 to 400 homeless in Tent City.
Poster boards sat outside of City Hall, scrawled with proposed changes to the encampment, such as a single exit/entry and an enforced code of conduct.
Homeless advocates said they have wanted to work with city officials to implement order and improvements at the site but were getting little feedback.
Mayor Paul Leon asked Housing Director Brent Schultz to schedule a meeting with the advocacy groups in order to discuss the matter.
andrea.bennett@sbsun.com