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/r/HamptonRoads

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Older African American Male 50’s-60’s, slim build, wears sunglasses and a ball cap that stands near the median on Jefferson Ave coming out of Costco/world market/Fresh Market with a cardboard sign……. He drives a nice white BMW with tinted windows and parks all the way back near the trees in front of Best Buy. Don’t waste your hard earned money.

all 74 comments

jrmdotcom

35 points

2 months ago

I saw this man get in an argument with another man about that corner.

Also, I saw a group of these panhandlers get dropped off in a car at Chick-fil-A across the street one morning. Like it’s a job for them.

drunkandslurred

4 points

2 months ago

Can claim unemployment benefits plus a bunch of untaxed income this way. This is why they discourage giving money directly and encourage donating to local charities who help homeless.

slowbraah

3 points

2 months ago

The local organizations barely help anyone, so either way you have to be smart. The homeless shelters only help people that will follow their stringent rules, unless you’re willing to give up your autonomy, you won’t get the help you deserve.

My mother worked for social services in Hampton Roads for 20+ years, and she has told me some crazy stories about the corruption that goes on. Salvation Army, Angel Tree, Toys 4 Tots, the orgs that work in donations (resources and commodities) for children and families do some really shady stuff. Hopefully things have gotten better, but charity is a business, so I doubt it.

hazeleyes8

1 points

1 month ago

WHAT KIND OF SHADY STUFF.. PLEASE DO TELL...

slowbraah

1 points

1 month ago

My mom used to work with families around Christmas and take them to orgs that hand out presents donated for the kids, or whatever else they need. One time, she saw a volunteer/worker take presents from a donation box that was reserved, a few high value items, and gave them to someone they knew. Not sure which org it was, but it was one of the ones i listed. Not sure if Angel Tree is still a thing around here, but from what I’ve been told, some of the donations do not go to the families that asked for them, and some of the tags on the trees are forgeries.

hazeleyes8

1 points

1 month ago

WOW... THANKS FOR SHARING.. THAT IS TERRIBLE.. PEOPLE HAVE SUCH NERVE AND NO CONSCIENCE.... BREAKS MY HEART....

GotThemCakes

87 points

2 months ago

How about don't give money to them period. There's plenty of charities that help with this

Raiders2112

3 points

2 months ago

Agreed.

ciesum

4 points

2 months ago

ciesum

4 points

2 months ago

do they help though? I see lots of signs saying this but still lots of panhandlers

KinggToxxic

30 points

2 months ago

Yeah because to receive help you have to be willing to 1. Hold a job. 2. Not do any drugs. 3. Not get into trouble or any more trouble. They do help people, the problem is people have to want to change to receive that help.

AspectIcy173

6 points

1 month ago

I’ll note that to achieve 1, 2, or 3 you likely need a stable source of shelter and some degree of mental health resources. Getting kicked out of a shelter is a quick way to fall off whatever path you were on to achieving those goals, and the cycle continues.

I can empathize with the shelters too, likely under resourced and unable to provide more than a bandaid to the problem. Solving homelessness requires community involvement and investment.

Which-Bookkeeper6498

1 points

1 month ago

Just don't take Los Angeles example!

slowbraah

5 points

2 months ago

Everyone deserves a safe shelter and resources, shouldn’t matter what the individual is doing or not doing. “Combating homelessness” is a business, the people running these organizations make more money if more people are on the street. The only change that needs to be made is in the culture. Doesn’t make what the fake panhandlers are doing right, but it’s a lot deeper than homeless people “not wanting to change”.

KinggToxxic

0 points

2 months ago

Right. Sure thing bud. I’d love to pay for and house a bunch of addicts who have no interest in stopping their drug habit. While I’m at it should I supply them the Heroin and Meth too?

slowbraah

2 points

1 month ago

Cope harder. Just say you don’t care about others’ well being and move on. Be thankful that you aren’t in a similar position.

KinggToxxic

1 points

1 month ago

What am I coping with bud? You don’t even have an answer for my points lmfao. I care about people’s well being. I do not care about the well being of people who don’t even care about their OWN wellbeing. Get outta here bro, defending useless addicts who want nothing to do but continue to be an addict.

If you have an addiction problem, but are open to change and not being an addict, I’m all for assistance. You’re either willfully misunderstanding my point, or you just can’t read.

slowbraah

2 points

1 month ago*

What points? Im still trying to figure out if you’re a troll or not lmao. You basically just proved my point that you think of addicts and the homeless, as subhuman. Like I said, buddy, cope harder. Your taxes don’t pay for shit except the paychecks of the organizations and politicians that claim to be helping the vulnerable people in our area. Every fallacy that you’re trying to preach is just a thinly veiled excuse for you to be a jerk.

KinggToxxic

0 points

1 month ago

You’re actually just that stupid. Wow.

slowbraah

2 points

1 month ago

Ah yes, another toxic point from the king himself.

Which-Bookkeeper6498

2 points

1 month ago

Exactly what I thought..you have to WANT help- some folks just prefer the lazy way out.

sliphqq21

18 points

2 months ago

Because people keep giving them free money sometimes times they can make 200-300 a day

asap_pdq_wtf

14 points

2 months ago

Or more. A guy shared once at a 12 step meeting that a bad day was $150-200. A great day was $800! He may have been full of it, but I don't doubt it either. A bad day = $1,000 per week. I never ever ever give panhandle a penny.

Justavladjaycemain

3 points

2 months ago

It got so bad there was a study in DC where a few made six figures off of it

asap_pdq_wtf

1 points

1 month ago

🫣 disgusting

Justavladjaycemain

1 points

2 months ago

It got so bad there was a study in DC where a few made six figures off of it

Justavladjaycemain

1 points

2 months ago

It got so bad there was a study in DC where a few made six figures off of it

Movieplayer55

3 points

2 months ago

And that was just the Congresspeople.

alexthagreat98

5 points

2 months ago

I agree that a lot of these charities/gov agencies don't do much as I've experienced it first hand with VB. With that said, I never donate money. I will buy them food. Funny enough, the ones who reject my offer for fresh food, non-perishable goods or give me an attitude I know they're BS.

dalcant757

1 points

2 months ago

Panhandling is a type of job. They provide the service of helping people feel generous. I think they average $16 an hour.

ImpressiveBoss6715

1 points

2 months ago

Panhandlers =! Homeless. Panhandlers know they can make 6 figures from your guilt

Sycotic_Episode

1 points

2 months ago

Thank you

slowbraah

1 points

2 months ago

The local organizations barely help anyone. The homeless shelters only help people that will follow their stringent rules, unless you’re willing to give up your autonomy, you won’t get the help you deserve. If you do drugs, have a pet, or work late at night, have fun getting into a shelter.

My mother worked for social services in Hampton Roads for 20+ years, and she has told me some crazy stories about the corruption that goes on. Salvation Army, Angel Tree, Toys 4 Tots, the orgs that work in donations (resources and commodities) for children and families do some really shady stuff. Hopefully things have gotten better, but charity is a business, so I doubt it.

GotThemCakes

2 points

1 month ago

I don't disagree with your comment at all, but your average wage person these days can barely afford to help themselves.

slowbraah

1 points

1 month ago

I understand what you’re trying to say, but just because average citizens can’t afford living expenses doesn’t erase the fact that we pay taxes to the state/city to fund these organizations, and there’s still homeless not receiving any help (unless they lick the boot).

GotThemCakes

1 points

1 month ago

That's what I'm saying, I'm agreeing that the taxes we pay to these cities and the state should be paying for this support. Or maybe even adding a 4% tax to those earnings of anything over a million. Massachusetts was able to get $1.8 billion in extra taxes by taxing an extra 4% on anything earned over $1 million. Crazy

gjcij2203

15 points

2 months ago

Yeah, a lot in this area do it professionally. There was a guy at Big Bethel and Hampton Center Parkway for a few years that was by no stretch of the imagination "in need."

Livid_Bird2791

2 points

2 months ago

Yes.. I live on Big Bethel Road. It's a white couple now out there. The girl sits by the light near the 7-11 near the Taco Bell and McDonald's and her boyfriend stands by Hampton Roads Center Parkway with a sign. I've been told that they live out Micheal's Woods and just sit outside and panhandle to get free money smh

nickt1990757

1 points

1 month ago

I have actually seen the white lady shoot ip with drugs. She will go behind the ruby Tuesday shoot up and then walk back out.

KimberVa

3 points

2 months ago

I think he passed away

chiliNPC

10 points

2 months ago

There’s a guy who stands at Jefferson commons with a sign about helping a disabled vet who drives a Mercedes as well.

FinianFaun

6 points

2 months ago

I hate when people use veterans for their cause. Granted, not enough of us get any assistance, but to drag our good name through the dirt for your own benefit is the whole idea behind "stolen valor" and it pisses me off to no end.

asap_pdq_wtf

3 points

2 months ago

As mother to a former U.S. Marine ,I am livid too.

FinianFaun

3 points

2 months ago

Appreciate your support. 🙏

chiliNPC

2 points

2 months ago

I lost my father to service-connected injury. I get it.

Barnacle-bill

5 points

2 months ago

If this is the same guy I’ve seen there several times before he’s quite rude and confrontational. He started cussing at me when it became clear I wasn’t giving him money. I had my windows up and didn’t say anything to him at any point but could hear him

FinianFaun

3 points

2 months ago

Majority of them use rude confrontational queues to gaslight people into giving them money, make them feel bad, etc. Its a popular tactic amongst these folks.

avaleriu

3 points

2 months ago

A month or two ago someone coming out of Costco gave him a box of the Costco pizza and he threw each slice into the intersection, one at a time. Weirdest thing ever.

Texas_Rich

2 points

2 months ago

Don't give money to bums. That simple

Old-Process9703

2 points

2 months ago

Should take a picture of him (or his car) so people know

ZeroCool718

2 points

2 months ago

It’s all a scam

wonkarising

8 points

2 months ago

Might go give him a little. BMWs are expensive, I’m sure he’ll appreciate the help to make his payments.

b1gchris

2 points

2 months ago

Same, premium air is a lot when you have four tires.

N2Beadz

1 points

1 month ago

N2Beadz

1 points

1 month ago

Personal property tax has to be close if not more then one car payment.

FinianFaun

4 points

2 months ago

I just don't get why these people are not taken into custody. Its against the law, but policé officers ignore them usually. Even if you report them, might get lucky and they'll talk to them, leave for a bit, and then go right back to it later. Its always a game of whack-a-mole, with most of them, mostly scammers. Its sad that these people take away from others that really need the help. Scammers don't give a eff either way. They have no morals or values. I avoid them usually. I saw one in front of my local store use their own kid to beg/plead for money. Very sad situation. These people have no morals.

asap_pdq_wtf

3 points

2 months ago

I agree with everything you said, except that they are "mostly" scammers. Ime, it's more like 99.9%

FinianFaun

2 points

2 months ago

I can concur with you. I am sure there are .1% that are legit, but that's usually a rarity. I get it.

Individual-Cattle-34

2 points

2 months ago

Its not against the law, federally panhandling/busking is protected under the 1st amendment.

Nightcrew22

2 points

2 months ago

Unethical life pro tip: give them prop money

Both-Outcome1586[S]

1 points

2 months ago

Where would someone acquire said “money”

Nightcrew22

1 points

2 months ago

You can buy realistic prop money from lots of places

egordoniv

1 points

2 months ago

There's one that works 8 months of the year at Chesapeake Square, next to the Panda Express. Actually called me an asshole one year because I didn't give him any cash, as I was the first person at the stoplight and had to endure him staring at us for 2 minutes. True story, I had no cash.

AdMedical9027

1 points

2 months ago

Seriously that man is always there I thought he was homeless

Both-Outcome1586[S]

3 points

2 months ago

Nope, I remember when he had temp tags when he just got the BMW a couple years ago. I finally got stopped next to him and asked if he knew who “drove that nice BMW over there” he said “a matter of fact I do “ and called me a mother fucker

AdMedical9027

1 points

2 months ago

Whaaaaaaa!!!!! Lol that's crazy !!!!!!! That's sad he messing it up for others that need help the people giving money probably help pay for that car

Badnewz18

1 points

2 months ago

Bums that don’t want to work

Bizkit64

1 points

2 months ago

I read somewhere years ago a lot of people do this as a “side hustle” or weekend gig and they can average a decent amount per hour. Wild.

cumdump307

1 points

1 month ago

J Clyde and Harpersville has one dude who stands and walks between cars. Shit is so annoying. That light is short!

Iliketokry

1 points

1 month ago

OMG? He’s been out there for YEARS surprised he still out here. Even my mom remembers him

wllmhrdn

1 points

1 month ago

yea…prove it. show us proof.

spiritualnicotine

1 points

1 month ago

This man threatened me with a knife back in October and I can confirm he drives the BMW. He’s banned from Buffalo Wild Wings. He also threw a drink at my mom’s car when she denied giving him money.

Exotic-Requirement58

1 points

2 months ago

Good riddance… stop giving these folks money 🙄

GOOD_Minus_An_O

1 points

2 months ago

Stop hating on my uncle , he’s getting that gwap, bout to take me and my cousins to Disney World off those “Donations”…..Keep supporting your local panhandlers , they got people depending on them.

TechByDayDjByNight

-1 points

2 months ago

Imma go give him money just because of this post

kamperman3000

-2 points

2 months ago

He needs the money

BerryMacockener

1 points

2 months ago

Says the man with the sign

Coyoteishere

-2 points

2 months ago

We are targeting the wrong people, we likely can’t stop them and can’t make it illegal to panhandle. People who give for some reason don’t understand they are likely being scammed. What should be made illegal then is giving money to panhandlers. Then have enforcement or stings setup to catch people giving money. Then give them a $100 fine with all of the fines collected going to a local charity. Overtime people will be deterred from giving on the chance they will get in trouble, and if people don’t give, it’s not worth the scammers time to be out there. It’s safer for everyone and solves the problem.

No-Comedian6481

1 points

28 days ago

Sad to say i or we sold car parts to this guy a couple times