Posted on 08/01/2019 10:30:16 AM PDT by Hojczyk
ABILENE, Texas (KTXS) — An Abilene man -- who appears to be homeless and handicap -- is making a good living by panhandling on weekends, according to the police chief.
Chief Stan Standridge said the man panhandles every Saturday and Sunday at the intersection of Hwy 83/84 and FM 707.
He sits in a wheelchair and the police department has gotten calls from people concerned about the man thinking he's homeless.
Standridge said the department's homeless outreach team has been in contact with the man.
They learned he is not homeless. Standridge said the man lives in a home in south Abilene.
He is also not wheelchair-bound, according to Standridge.
Someone drops him off every weekend to seek charity. Standridge said the man earns about $1,000 a weekend.
KTXS found him at the intersection on Wednesday. Multiple people told KTXS he's there every day.
RJ told KTXS that he is homeless, handicap and is lucky to make $6 on a weekend.
But that conflicts with what Standridge said RJ told his officers.
"He has told our officers how much he’s making. We know where he resides. I have personally seen him dropped him off on weekends," Standridge said.
Ultimately, Standridge said his Facebook post is not about RJ.
If we each give $5 out the window, “what have we done to address homelessness? Nothing,” Standridge said.
Standridge believes the best way to address homelessness is to move away from charity toward philanthropy.
"Imagine if those dollars were given to non-profits to help get our homeless neighbors off the streets," said Standridge.
The police chief encourages people to give to non-profit groups like Hope Haven and Love And Care Ministries that help people who are down on their luck.
(Excerpt) Read more at katu.com ...
Years ago I knew an RJ who was from Texas. He was quite a grifter. Just a coincidence, I suppose.
Good for him.
Sherlock Holmes dealt with a mystery (The Man with the Twisted Lip) who did the same thing.
Guy was writing an article for a newspaper. He wrote an article about panhandling, went to do research, made more money panhandling in one day than he made in a week.
Boring work, but it’s tax free.
If they don’t enforce panhandling laws against genuine homeless, they can’t enforce them against impostors.
I stopped giving to these guys long ago. Many will hang out at one spot for a week or two then move on to another spot or another city in their nice truck or motorhome.
I guess their mindset is it beats working for a living and they get to travel around.
My stubborn pride would prevent me from doing it.
Never give them money. It teaches them to associate people with food. A Fed bear is a dead bear!
Craziness. But donating to homeless shelters isn’t. In fact, I donated a beloved 22-year old car to Union Gospel Mission. Car needed more repair than it was worth, and UGM really helps people. Their car dealership in town is manned by cleaned up alcoholics, all of them doing great jobs. UGM also helps homeless mothers with children stay off the streets.
I know people who buy their cars there—well-heeled people who know they’re supporting a great institution and appreciate the deals at UGM
And down the street, next to another kosher grocery, there's a middle aged man who sits in a lawn chair on the sidewalk waiting for people to pay their tribute to him and hand over a dollar or two. I've even heard some people call him by name. He doesn't seem to be demonstrative like the annoying woman above, just sits there and collects handouts. I guess the payoff for them is, it's an instant feel-good---"Look, I gave charity!" And the payoff for him is a pile of greenbacks. For all we know, he lives in a large house around the corner.
Not only is it tax-free, it’s off the books in another way. He goes down to the welfare office and I guarantee gets some sort of assistance. Mexicans do the same thing. Work for tax-free cash, doing yard work, painting, odd jobs, house cleaning, babysitting. Them with no visible income they go down and apply for welfare. Many of them make far more then they’re blue-collar legal American neighbor with that scam
Bingo.
Panhandlers vs. the genuine homeless.
Panhandlers — I have come to believe that all panhandlers at city street intersections and outside shopping centers are all lazy scamming con-men. I have seen far too many hop into a car at the end of the “shift” or walk home to a place where they live. No, I haven’t “stalked” them often, but the few times I patiently staked out a panhandler, almost all of them are scammers who are dropped off by a car or live nearby. They are NOT homeless. They are basically thieves, preying on the compassion of big-hearted people. I admit that there are a few places here around the Sacramento area usually at freeway off ramps, where there are genuine homeless. But by and large, panhandlers are scammers. The genuine homeless are drug addicts that don’t have the mental acuity to stand and panhandle for hours at a time.
The Genuine Homeless. NEVER ever give money to the genuine homeless — a misnomer as a better name would be the dysfunctional mentally ill or drug addicts. Buy them a meal or give them some old clothes or drop off some chips and soda, a blanket in winter. But NEVER give them money. They only use their money for drugs and alcohol. Period.
Is panhandling income considered taxable income? Can we get him on tax evasion?
I've seen people panhandle for a few hours, then walk across a parking lot, get into a car and drive off. Seen guys with casts duct taped to their legs.
Also saw a guy panhandling, legit missing a leg up to the hip. Looked like hell. I stopped my truck and talked to him for a few minutes. Gave him 20 bucks and a pack of Marlboros. He started crying and said it was too much.
I never give money to “panhandlers”. In my experience, it’s best to avoid strangers who try to stop women in the street.
My son lived on the streets of Houston, said he earned $20 and $40 in two hours...asking for loose change at gas stations. He said he could get enough money in 2 or 3 hours for his cocaine, his food, a little gasoline and cigarettes. I ask to see peoples hands..if they have callouses from working a shovel..I will help.
What’s His Sign Say?
.
I need a good Hobbie!
Jose: “Hey Jesus, how come you always have more money than me? We work the same corners!”
Jesus: “It’s the signs!”
Jose: “Mine says ‘work for food’. What does yours say?”
Jesus: “Five dollars more and I can go home to Mexico!”
There are plenty resources available for homeless people. I never give so much as a nickel. Don’t know about the rest of the country, but the panhandlers here in Virginia are fond of writing “Homeless Vet” on their signs to garner sympathy.
As a general rule I don’t give money to panhandlers. Once I gave $5 to a regular panhandler near my office but it was because he had jumped up and opened the door to my office as I was carrying a heavy box. Another time I gave cash to what appeared to be a homeless man who was carting huge garbage bags filled with recyclable bottles on his bike while he walked the bike. (The bike had a bad tire or something.) I gave him money to fix his bike and offered to tote his bags in my car to the recycling center and meet him there. He refused to meet but graciously accepted the money.which he never requested. I saw him struggling with his bike and bags and offered help. I have a lot of respect for people who are trying to earn money but nothing but disdain for panhandlers standing in a busy intersection expected something for nothing.
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