Give To The Homeless, Commit a Crime?
March 16, 2010 by Kathy McManus
A television station in San Antonio, Texas, recently reported that a local councilman wants to make it a crime to give money to a beggar or homeless person on city streets. Those who open their wallets would be fined.
"If there's no money for the panhandlers, the panhandlers will go away," said Councilman John Clamp.
But some residents say what will go away is their right to give. “I think it is absolutely ludicrous to ticket someone for wanting to help out another human being,” one person commented online. “To me, that is the same as punishing someone for wanting to do the right thing.” Another wrote, “Whenever I am tempted to pass judgment over these people I ask myself how desperate would I have to be and how far would I have to fall before I would beg? Then I hand them a dollar and get on with my day.”
“You are all missing the point,” wrote another resident who said giving cash to “bums” was ill advised. “I used to give them money,” the writer continued, “until I started seeing them in the park drinking and smoking crack!” San Antonio Express-News columnist Victor Landa, however, questioned the practicality of the proposed law by asking, “Whose responsibility is it to be the street-level charity police?”
Tell us what you think: Should it be a crime to give money to someone on the street?
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212 Comments
What do you think? Leave a comment
March 17, 2010 by Laurie Joyce
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March 24, 2010 by Laura Drinkwine
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May 1, 2010 by Richard S. Speck
Giving to the poor is the right thing to do. Jesus said we should invite the lame, the poor, the blind. If you can share God's wprd then you can share what you have with others who don't have much.
August 8, 2010 by Michael Boger Sr
Why not invite one person or one family to your home for a meal. It will be a blessing to you and to them. The Lord said that we need to help the widow, orphans and the poor. We have food, clothing, cars, and a home to come to. Some families are homeless because they lost their jobs due to cut backs or companies closing down, that has happen to me, by the grace of GOD I still have a home and food to share whenever I can.
August 12, 2010 by russ
now who is playing god wouls love to see something happen to the one who vote on this to stop help then his life get wreck and he be out there on the street yes some have turn to drinking and or drugs because their maybe was no help for them we need to start taking care of are own that could be you tomorrow you never know what bad luck can bring and you be innocent and get slap in the face what comes around goes around and i dont want karma coming back on me
August 29, 2010 by Nancy Briggs
I think that none of us are in a posistion to judge anyone. And who is to say that this person bought his own latte? Maybe someone was nice enough to buy one for him and hand it to him before they got on the freeway? And, what is wrong with him having a latte? Better than spending the money on something else like booze or drugs. So, I think next time we see a person "pan handeling" maybe we should just give them a hamburger or sandwich or maybe a bottle of water. That's my thought.
September 2, 2010 by Gods Butterfly
I find most people use many "Excuses" to not assist those that are less fortunate. I am a recovering addict and I wish I had someone like me to LOVE me enough as a stranger to firmly give me a hand up, not a slap down. addiction has many faces and if "those high nosed" people would face themselves, they would find Yes an addiction! being tied to a schedule is a form of addiction and because it doesn't smoke, drink, or go up your nose you think yourself out of that stigma. I would without a doubt and have given my home to a homeless person. I have given my entire home and belongings over to those in need because I Love God and have Resolute Courage that In Him I will be safe and cared for. Be the example, Be the next change, Be a friend you never know when you might be starring at yourself on that street corner one day. when you look at another person regardless whom and where see that other person as the other side of you.
In Loving you IS to love the other side of myself, In loving Me IS to love the other side of you. I AM One with Our creator, So are you.
I love you Stranger
A Witness
November 4, 2010 by sebrina
i think giving to the homeless is wonderful and not selfish i mean they dont have enough money to pay for anything and they are living on the streets
October 8, 2011 by Britianny
My name is Britianny. I am 22 years old, married with a one year old son whom i adore. This past month my little family moved to New york. Not to be come big stars, but to experience a different life. We moved up here, couldnt find an apartment, and our last dime went to providing the hotel room i am currently sitting in while writing my response to the stupidity this councilman wears so well. I work part time in times square ( I was transferred with my job) My husband was supposed to have a transfer waiting for him to get here, but he has been receiving the run around for a month. Since we are not residents in new york we do not qualify for section 8 or HUD. Temporary assistance for needy families said that because i only work part time my family doesnt qualify for any type of help. So to those of you who think that the homeless are lazy and drug addicted think again. my little family will be homeless on October 17, 2011 because i wont be able to keep paying for a hotel room every night. I love my child with all my heart and ill be dammed if social services will take him away from me. Dammed because they refused to help us in the first place. everyone who is homeless is not a bad person. Shit happens and now my life is upside down. So i guess if you see me on the street trying to feed my son...i hope at least one of you can spare a dollar.
April 20, 2010 by Todd
This is garbage. While there are some homeless people who will spend money given to them for alcohol, drugs or tobacco, most are down on their luck. I am myself homeless in spite of having a college degree and am sick of "people" like this idiot politician passing laws that make it even harder for us. Perhaps if he was homeless for a month or so, he woould have a different perspective, but I doubt it. Like most politicians, he is the best the corporations can buy.
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August 22, 2010 by Giuseppe C Jr.
I Agree, In regards to your plight, send me an email and I'll do what I can to help you out?:)
December 30, 2010 by Singledad's_Ghost
Thank you!
April 24, 2010 by in need
Are you this uninformed of the times? Look at America!!! Many college educated people can't get or keep jobs, due to just plain bad times. I NEVER drank or tried drugs and am soon to be homeless as a housewife of a man who cheated and got divorced after 20yrs. I have no college education or job skills. Am I to be punished by death on streets because I married a terrible man? I had no clue he married a woman while married to me but when I found out what choice did I have? He stopped coming home anyway. I tried desperatly thru court to get alimony but couldnt. :( He became rich during our marriage as his racing career took off as a head tuner for pro drag racing,thanks Mr shortall. Guess faithful "old" wife should just die. I cry to God every night "Why me?" I never did anything to deserve this. I was a church going law abiding community service oriented person. I was extremely beautiful. Guess that won't help except get me attacked more on the street or by weirdos in shelter. I didnt drive after car accidents. How do you say people like me HONESTLY deserve this???
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May 1, 2010 by don
Keep strong mate. Yeah, sounds like you married a dud, but put your chin up and take it a day at a time. Have you got family you can stay at? Its bit of a kick to the pride, but maybe your folks will let you spend some time there. If they are oldies, they might even enjoy a bit of familar company helping them around the place.
If that won't work out, get in the yellow pages and look up your local womens groups and church groups. Most of these have avenues to help bail out women in distress, and seriously, having a friendly stranger to talk to can be amazingly comforting, because you soon learn your not alone in this world.
Stay strong, its not always obvious but God really does care.
July 2, 2010 by Tamy Williams
I totally understand what you are saying. I don't think the homeless or those wanting to assist them should be a crime. I too was homeless at one time if it wasn't for the kindness of strangers and God's love I would not be in a decent apartment, with my son who helps me because I am disabled. When I became disabled my husband left me for a younger girl. But I learned to lean on God and trust Him for everything.READ Psalm 91. He that dwelleth in the secret place or the most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. 2. I will say of the Lord. He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; "in HIM will I trust." 3. Surely (truly) he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,(of wicked men, the devil, demons, all who try to hurt you and keep you down). 4. He shall(will) cover thee(you) with His feathers,(feathers and wings here are figurative of protection and care) and under His wings shalt (will) thou trust: HIS truth shall(WILL) be thy shield and buckler. 5. Thou shalt(will) not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Read the rest of the chapter if you can. The homeless are not bums, or panhandlers, a majority of the homeless do work, there just aren't enough available and affordable housing for them. Yes there are some that have given. Please don't give up. I will be praying for you. God Bless you.
January 7, 2011 by Roberta Dye
It says in the Bible to help the needie. But what they need is to know how much Jesus loves them and to hav help to find work so that they can feel better about them selves. and those that help because they want God will see there heart and they will be blessed. I believe we are here to do all we can to help each other. Jesus is love!
May 8, 2010 by Solar
Hey! Try talking to them! Ever think you could tell in the first few minutes of conversation if someone's gonna run off and smoke crack as soon as they are able? I need money for a sleeping bag and new back pack... Can anyone help me out? :(
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May 29, 2010 by Elizabeth Bailey
I strongly agree that needs should come before wants. Habits can be broken if someone has support from their community and family. I myself have bought food or given coffee to homeless persons. i'm not disrespecting them, they still appreciate the fact that someone cares about them as a person.i won't support anyones bad habits, but i can set an example that is more appropriate.
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June 4, 2010 by sheila capehart
I need and ,I dont mind giving.Right now my kids and husband is in need of a home.I am looking for a three bedroom ,in Tampa Florida.
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June 4, 2010 by sheila capehart
Please help the homeless,even if it is a dinner today.
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August 11, 2010 by Matti Addison
No most are not drug users and most are not drunks. Most are people who lost jobs unexpectedly and do not know what to do. Don't be so quick to judge. Saying, "To be homeless in these times one has to have a nasty habit", thats wrong. Anyone can become homeless, now days. Some need money for personal items or for the motel room or for the first months rent so they can start over. jeeze. No you do not always know what your money went to, but do you know when you give it to anything? Aren't we continually disallusioned by priests rabies and even charities? Just give in good conscience to help. YOU, just do whats right.
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August 29, 2010 by Raymond
To the person who wented to punshies the people who help the poor. Maybe you needed to go live on the streets, And have nothing..As in money, food, your own toilet !! ext. (think about before you speak! it could be your children or other family memmbers.) and then maybe we should punshies the people who help you or your love ones. And see how you would like that with no one to help you. Thay say want go's around comes around.
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August 31, 2010 by Cristie Taylor :3
-noms on Laura's head- eww D:
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September 17, 2010 by Kelly Fikes
I beleave it should be OUR CHOICE to help a homeless person. I have given my last dollar to people on the street . The reason I have done this is because everyone doesnt choose to be on the streets. They may have been somewhere alot worse than where they are now or even lost their jobs .I feel like this put the ignorant people who no nothing about these people or their loved ones on the streets and then lets see how much they talk then. Remember it is OUR CHOICE to help and anyone who try to force us to quite should be ashamed and I would love to see u when ur down and no one is allowed to help you.
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September 30, 2010 by Ann
When I read some of these comments I am apaud, to think of how some of these people feel about the less fortunate, when you your self can be a paycheck away from being homeless. How can you sit and comment on someone else situation and judge someone else. If you have never walked in there shoes who are you to judge. Some of those homeless people out there are our men and women that fought for our country. They maybe someone important you are so quick to judge you never know, what it feels like when you have nothing you have no ideal where you are going, you have no one to depend on. That make things very difficult, when you have no one to depend on.... When you become judge and jury please be very careful one day that could be you begging on a street corner role reversal can come when you least expect it.
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October 19, 2010 by Angie
Are you kidding? What if this person who wants to outlaw it becomes homeless..may be he should? I have a disabled son who lost his arm in an accident who needs help from me because no one will hire him. If I wsan't here, he might depend on the kindness of others...this is America and we should be free to support anyone who needs out kindness. What a jerk!!
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February 13, 2011 by Marlene J Prout
I would suggest you take some of your precious time and find out why, when or how the "panhandlers" became those of need. Yes, many times liquor is involved in their lives, but there is a reason for everyting. Donating money can, indeed, aid in bad habits, but why is there nothing else of value in their lives?? They're often poorly clothed, unhealthy, unkept, hungry, lonely..................... Is there nothing else you can to "give"? How about your time, energy, and care? If giving, in any way, is a crime, I can't pay a "fine", but get the handcuffs ready!! I won't stop.
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March 17, 2010 by Cleo Humphrey
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April 24, 2010 by Trent
Hello, I am writing a paper for my English class on "Homelesness". There are people that do buy drugs and or aolochol with the donations that a person recives. But does this make homeless persons all bad. I say a big fat "NO". I was homeless for about 10 years, and after fighting, and scraping, and clawing my way out I finally am going to college at 52. People are people and my Lord and saviour Jesus Christ pulled me out of homelessness. I live in public housing now and am enjoying it as much as I can. I have worked with the homeless for about 18 months and yes their are people that are ruthless and also very dangerous, but that is a tiny portation of the population. Some homeless people dont deserve where they are at they may have ran into hard times and couldnt pay the morguage or rent. Maybe a hurracane hit their town like Huracane Catrina, they still suffer from repracutions from that huracane. Please people of the world dont close your heart because of a few rotten apples. Jesus tells me to Love my enemy, to feed the hungry, cloth the naked. What makes some people better than "Jesus Christ.
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June 10, 2010 by Crystal
After being in the shoes of a homeless person for almost two weeks now IO can say that most homeless people want what everyone else want a home to call home food in their bellies and a job. Me, my husband, and baby have been bounced around back and forth for the last two weeks my husband is a hard worker but because of his past it is very hard to get a job i have been very ill for te past three year s and my body has not allowed me to work on top of that I have four children that have to stay with with different family because I can not take care of them. Not all homeless people are cracked out or alcoholics some just have had bad things happen to them that was beyond there control before we go judging people ask yourself how close are you to becoming homeless we all are just one bad choice away from it.As far as places that will help there use to good social workers out there now it is a bunch of people that want to sit back and tell you what you did wrong and act as if it was their pockets that the money was coming from. As a family unit it is even harder because nobody wants to help the whole family so they seperate you go figure. Anyhow this is a word of incouragement God will take care of all your needs trust in him completely and see his work! Be Blessed!
December 14, 2010 by Sarah
I agree on everything you have said. It takes time to be saved from the horror in life but sometimes you have to fall to see what you had then you have to learn to pick yourself back up from all the things in your past. " The past still effects the present, just as the present will affect the future," by: Me~Sarah.....Good luck with everything...
September 30, 2010 by anne flores
i am the outreach chairperson of our church i think its a shame to even think of such a thought of not giving the homeless . our committee gives clothes ,food ,and took food to them at the park downtown until the city stopped it ,but no one will ever stop me f rom giving money to them .it says in the bible ,love your neighbor ,that doesnt mean next door ,it means everyone ,so they took away our childrens right to pray in school ,and in public places ,i really hate to see what these people that are so against ,all of our gods commendments ,on the day they stand infront of god on judgement day ,and they will have to answer,to him , i know what i ll say that day ,.will you ?
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March 17, 2010 by Al Chaney
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March 18, 2010 by Andy Williamsburg
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March 24, 2010 by Laura Drinkwine
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March 18, 2010 by Carma Miller
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April 24, 2010 by down an out
I resent the whole drug addict label!!! I lost everything due to being a housewife and we used to have a 6figure income!!! I NEVER drank or tried drugs and I am almost homeless as I have no skills or college as I married at 16 and supported him as a model in my youth. Now he is a famous race car guy who committed bigamy and left me high an dry. How is this my fault? I am far to fragile to be homeless but this is my fate soon. :(((
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August 6, 2010 by tina
hi ....i was an addict and even that label bothers me . honestly now i found god i realize there was only one reason why these things happened to me it was because i need to look for God. i needed to give my life to him . To put my life in his hands for him to lead it for me. people might say i live pay check to pay check. and although it's true. i don't see it that way. i asked GOD for a job and he lead me to a dry cleaner's i've been there for a yr and 7 months . i drive for them i manage a store for them . when the other maneger's go on vacation it's me who they send out to their store . and it's all because one day i told God i couldn't do this on my own anymore i needed him to do it for me. i accepted that i am a sinner not because i used drugs and alcohol but because i wasn't doing his will. so i invited him into my heart to save me from sin. and lead my life. He is my Lord and Savior. and all these this privilges i have are because of him. i had lost my kids do to my choices. and because of him i get to see them when ever i can. and now my prayer is to someday in the near future is to have them living with me. and i know that when the time is right he will arrange the puzzle pieces in places.. right now he's arranging your puzzle pieces. invite him in your heart let him be your savior and he'll open your eyes to the big picture... and even though the whole puzzle is not put together YET you will be able to see it. love him as he loves you and thank him everyday for findind you. he's knocking at the door of your heart open it up and let him in. much love Tina
March 18, 2010 by Karen Davis
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June 16, 2010 by B. Reaves
So true, But for the grace of God.
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March 18, 2010 by cordula gehrig
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March 18, 2010 by Lisa Pouliot
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March 19, 2010 by linda raye christopher
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August 14, 2010 by Bob
I would love to help the Homeless take them out for a nice dinner or Just give them Money when they need it.Does anybody know how to get started?
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October 11, 2010 by Savannah
in San Fran there is a place called San Francisco Rescue Mission. If you call them up or visit. I'm sure they will need help. They have an address its 140 Turk. im not sure of the number but they have a wed sight if you want to look it up..
March 19, 2010 by Lawrence H. Chartier
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March 19, 2010 by Margaret Ann Rice
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March 20, 2010 by p.d.
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April 17, 2010 by demond jordan
thats wrong. you are one bad business investment from being broke, dead, and or homeless. people get money and change. if you value money then your whole prespective of life is a mirage. people have a bad of judging other people.
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November 30, 2011 by vicki
if you had no money and no where to go and you couldnt take a shower and you spent your moments looking for a place to be covered at night. You collected 15.00 during the day. You ate a cheap lunch then ate a cheap dinner and had 5.00 left woulnt you buy a 5.00 cheap bottle of wine to put you to sleep. If you have ever been truley been without a place to go and very little money to eat and were cold how would you spend that last 5.00. Seriously Counsler and people talking about all homeless people do is drink and smoke crack. Open your eyes and your hearts. Those people have gone unhelped for too long it would take major funding to cure the emotional trauma of becoming homeless. Help the Homeless when you can give when you can dont look down on them. You say " it would never happen to you" becareful what you say because It could be you. I had the rare opportunity to experience this for only 2 nights and by the grace of God someone helped me quickly. If i had gone another night i would have been begging and drinking myself. You can not imagine the feeling of no where to sleep and no money for food I can not even explain the awful expereince it does to oneself. HELP PEOPLE WHEN YOU CAN AND EVEN IF YOU CANT
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