So there's no chance San Francisco will do this.

[madbaker]

Somewhat in nitnorth-style...

Atlanta passed an ordinance Monday banning begging within a 70-block, triangular district encompassing Atlanta's largets hotels, convention halls, and attractions.

Comments from the pro-ban side:

"Panhandling has a debilitating effect on the tourism industry, on residents downtown, and on businesses downtown. People are frightened."
"People have called my restaurant to say they won't return after being accosted."

From the anti-ban side:

"Tourism is racism, classism, and segregation."
"We are fighting corporate fascism. I am opposed to apartheid in Atlanta, and this is what we are talking about."

There are good and reasonable arguments to make opposing the ban. You don't help your cause by appearing as a raving loon.
(Any bets as to when the word "Nazi" is used?)

What I'm reading: Neal Asher, Gridlinked

Comments

Scams

[metageek.livejournal.com]

there are some people who actually work the streets as a scam.

Yeah. I spent a year living in Hyde Park, Chicago, and there were several long-term beggars in the neighborhood. One night a 30ish woman came up to me asking for bus fare to get home; she'd gone to a prenatal appointment, and was stuck. She was sobbing, frantic, etc.; I gave her the change I had, and she took it, shut up, and walked away. When I saw her face shut down, I was pretty sure she'd been faking; when I saw her around the area later (obviously not pregnant, obviously living nearby, not needing bus fare), I knew it.

I haven't given beggars any money since. But, one winter night that same year, an aging, decrepit man, whom I'd seen begging many times, asked for food; I'd just gotten takeout, so I gave him some. No regrets on that one.

Re: Scams

[mastersantiago.livejournal.com]

Laurie and I both have given over our "take home" from restaurants to homeless people before. Usually they are cool about it. Once I've had someone get pissed because I wouldn't give him the money he asked for even though he said it was for food.