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Downtown Panhandling as worse as I've seen it it

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by Reston, Apr 18, 2013.

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  1. Reston

    Reston VIP Whale

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    I know these threads have come up before, and I've always been a defender of the notion that it's "not that bad" downtown. I may have to change my mind after this latest trip.

    It's not just that there are some people along Fremont looking for a hand-out; that's just as bad on the Strip. But on this trip I had two incidents -- including one inside a casino -- where they would not take no for an answer. In the worst case, a guy inside the Fremont was hitting up everyone who made a purchase at the Dunkin' Doughnuts. He started cussing at me when I declined his offer to give him the change in my hand from my purchase. I made a complaint with security, and they walked him out, where he promptly planted himself just outside the casino and got in the face of everyone who walked by. It took me all of about 30 seconds to spot 4 or 5 of his "colleagues" working the same area. So either this isn't a priority for the "security" people roaming around, or they don't know what do with them, or they just don't care. But it left me with a very unfavorable impression of downtown this trip.
     
  2. jas92129

    jas92129 Tourist

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    time to bring back institutionalization...this is getting out of control in Southern California too
     
  3. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I'm sorry to hear that. I'll be there soon and I hope I don't run into that.

    Be sure to let the casino know it was a problem too. The security level is greatly influenced by how many complaints the casinos are getting from players. :wink2:
     
  4. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I also noticed an increase of this type of activity when I visited in March. I always had the notion that they are not allowed under the Canopy but now they are all over the place.

    Maybe their right to beg has been violated? Maybe the art of begging and being a non-contributing member of society is protected by the Constitution or Bill of Rights? Maybe Security don't give a rat's ass anymore?

    Really don't know but they are multiplying like feral cats.

    When they ask me for money I just say "I was going to ask YOU for money."

    It hasn't happened yet but if they swear at me I intend to swear back. And more.:grrr:
     
  5. Hawaiianmark

    Hawaiianmark Low-Roller

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    Elbow to bridge of nose. Problem solved.

    :ssst:
     
  6. split10's?

    split10's? Low-Roller

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    Yeah, dammit, only the casinos get to take my money from me for no good use! :D :poke:
     
  7. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    The beggars on Fremont tend to come and go in cycles. If they escalate to a level where complaints are many – a crack down results. Then, it's quiet for a while until another cycle starts.

    I see the same thing happen on The Strip whether it be the card slappers, beggars, or costume characters. It's cyclic.

    Bill
     
  8. maineguy

    maineguy Low-Roller

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    I stay downtown once a year....just came back from 6 days there. I saw no difference from a year ago...and found them easy to ignore.
     
  9. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    We stay downtown 5-6 times per year. I am just not bothered by anyone and either is my wife.

    Not criticizing anyone, but you just need to ignore anyone who would think of approaching you and certainly don't say anything. Maybe I just look like a bad ass, but my wife is 5'5 and she doesn't have any problems.

    Works downtown and it works on the Strip with the timeshare aholes and anybody else.
     
  10. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

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    Once they are out of the casino, security can no longer be responsible for them. The streets and sidewalks are public property and cannot be controlled by private citizens. Unless they become an endangerment to others or you want to issue a warrant for their arrest, their presence must be tolerated. No difference than protesters or union picketers.
     
  11. split10's?

    split10's? Low-Roller

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    Technically, somehow downtown has gotten the FS Experience to be declared private property, not public. That's how they get away with banning porn slappers and the like.
     
  12. Reston

    Reston VIP Whale

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    That's great advice -- until someone starts calling you a mother-f*cker because you say "sorry" when he steps in front of you and asks for money. And this was inside a casino, where the guy clearly had been hanging out and harassing other guests.

    And that was only one of the incidents. In another one, a guy who was shadowing a friend and myself as we walked down Fremont starting waving his arms frantically and shouting at us because we kept walking and wouldn't stop to listen to his hard-luck story.

    I've been going and staying downtown for many years. There was a different character to some of the interactions that I was part of and witnessed. Maybe it's because there is more competition, but they had an aggressiveness and "edge" to them I've never noticed before.
     
  13. Reston

    Reston VIP Whale

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    Loitering is against the law. Protesters and union picketers need permits.
     
  14. bbking

    bbking Tourist

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    I spent 4 nts downtown 2 weeks ago and never had a problem with panhandlers.My complaint was with the construction on Fremont st.From one end to the other.
     
  15. Jade88

    Jade88 High-Roller

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    Aggression is worse all over. Has anyone heard about the guy set on fire by a homeless man in Cali?
     
  16. crasher11

    crasher11 Tourist

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    When I was there in March, we went down to Fremont on a tuesday and we got hammered with people asking for money or beers. I even had one guy ask for money and was going to give him my change that I had , He actually told me he didn't want change he wanted real money. Then got pissed because we walked away from him..
     
  17. OnTheHorizon

    OnTheHorizon Low-Roller

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    I stay DT once a year and usually once a visit I get asked for a handout - I just ignore and keep walking.
     
  18. VegasRandy

    VegasRandy Low-Roller

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    I just got back from a 3 night stay Downtown and didn't really get asked for any money from anyone. I can see them from a good distance away and just walk strategically around most of them. Not a big deal IMO.
     
  19. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

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    Maybe I'm different then some other people, But I often look for ways to help. I offer to buy food coffee bus tickets what ever. I don't like the practice of giving out money so I usually find some other way to help.

    It absolutely can get annoying at times and some people absolutely have the wrong approach who are asking for money. Having said that I've never been in the position to need to beg for money and I sure hope I never do so I probably don't understand it all.

    So although I am on vacation and I want to enjoy myself I still regard human decency as something important.

    Yes that certainly does put me in a position to be taken advantage of by panhandlers or others who have other accessible resources. But for the few dollars that I'm going to spend on helping them out I'd rather take the risk of them actually needing it and me helping.

    I think it's important to remember that people can be victims and agents of their own demise all in the same situation.
     
  20. liteman

    liteman Old Timer

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    I feel the same and get flack for it. I feel "There but for the grace of God,go I". I don't like being scammed, but if they ask for money for food, I offer to buy them lunch. If they only want money, I doubt they are hungry. Many people will give hundreds to a casino, but not a buck to the homeless.
     
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