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A four year comparison of Fremont st exp

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by prodaddy, Sep 3, 2013.

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  1. prodaddy

    prodaddy Low-Roller

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    Last time I stayed downtown, the D was Fitz's....just to give an idea of time lines.
    I noticed a difference in the makeup of folks on Fremont st. Yes it was 'rockvegas' or whatever its called- month but my impressions of the crowd found a more...well drunkish atmosphere. I quickly caught up via the incredibly cheap alcohol available everywhere...also did the east fremont thing hitting almost all the bars. It was crowded and fun but the one thing I hate...the panhandlers/beggars. My past experiences on fremont did not include the witnessing of a 'wheelchair bound' beggar, who stood up, when around the chair and pulled out a beer from a backpack, then sat back down again, waving his sign for money.
    Move the bums off...some were actually agressive with people. :grrr:
     
  2. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

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    It was interesting to read your prospective after you've been away four years..

    I don't think there's any way to legally move them off Fremont Street or they wouldn't be there still.

    STOP feeding them and they won't stay.

    I rode a bus with a local and his last advice as we parted was this-
    The city(?) or social services (?) has offered these people help as many of them have mental issues. Mo$t of them refu$ed help. We all know why. Let's stop playing their game.

    I admit, I've fed the trolls, even on our last trip. It's easier to give a buck and feel good than to walk away grumbling.

    After talking to this local on the bus, he made me realize we can help to solve the problem. It's not really a Vegas problem as much as it is a tourist problem. We can't help but feed the wildlife while we're at the zoo - and we need to stop.

    No more handout$ from me. Let's help Las Vegas move them out.
     
  3. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    That was only a year ago that they changed their name :)

    For the makeup of people it seems like the overall average age of people on Fremont Street has gone down in recent years - used to cater a lot to older gamblers, the 40+ crowd and all that... but seems to be a more and more younger crowd with a lot of the recent changes
     
  4. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    I recall security quickly moving these bums and beggars off the main canopy concourse as soon as they appeared.

    They were generally ushered to the side streets so as not to impose on tourist traffic.

    Now these people are positioned dead smack in the middle of the canopy with their torn, ragged signs requesting "help". They block traffic and with that fuckin stupid zipline, it only makes matters worse.

    I remember strolling the canopy and enjoying the sights, music, and occasional street artists or entertainers.

    Now if you do that its a dead giveaway that you're a tourist, and next thing you know a panhandler is in your face.

    Just no fun anymore under that canopy.
     
  5. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    All the things yu mentioned is why I love fremont street.

    The fun crowds, the dunkeness. Hey, if younger people want to join in then I am all for that as well.

    So there are a few bums. they need love too.

    i collect the signs so for me its business with pleasure. Thats not actually a sign as much as it is urban art. Some people pay money for that artwork but are afraid to get it themselves.

    tie a nice story of the down and outer with it and bam, turn that $5 investment into $40 with free shipping.
     
  6. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Good for you, COusineddie!

    Please keep them occupied so as to not bother tourists on vacation.:poke:

    Seriously though, I support and give money to agencies that try to help these people. I find them annoying when I'm bothered and aggressively pestered by them when I visit Vegas on VACATION.:peace:
     
  7. sura83

    sura83 Low-Roller

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    For background - I'm a female in my mid-fifties, and DH and I have been staying downtown for at least 3 days each trip for the past 5 years. We sometimes stroll under the canopy together, sometimes I walk by myself. I stop and browse at the kiosks, and spend at least some time watching the spray-paint artists doing their thing. While I'm not a teetotaler I don't drink much in Vegas, or elsewhere. I may have one drink every other day while on vacation. I'm sure I'm pretty easy to peg as a tourist, but have never been asked for money by a panhandler while out on the street. I have however been asked for a smoke inside the casino several times. I give them one, they thank me, and go on their way. Not to say that there might not be some beggars there who are a little more aggressive, but I wonder if maybe all the concern felt by some is blown a little bit out of proportion? After all, alcohol consumption can certainly change one's view of even the most innocent social interaction.
     
  8. Motorhead

    Motorhead Low-Roller

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    I think sura83 may be onto something. I also rarely drink even in Vegas - maybe one or two drinks during a 5 day trip - 3 if I'm feeling really wild :beer: ! And rarely do I ever get approached or spoken to by beggars on Fremont - I honestly can't recall the last time it's happened. Perhaps the beggars target the inebriated folk more?

    Note : I'm hoping to increase my intake of alcohol to 2 drinks per day in Vegas, so there is hope for me!
     
  9. Molymilker

    Molymilker Tourist

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    Our current trip is our fifth downtown and are staying five days at the plaza. We are having a great time as always. The only thing I have noticed that seems to be on the increase are the dressed up characters. You cant seem to walk five feet without running into one. A little annoying although I have to admit the topless girls with pasties were pleasent to the eye. Going to look for them again tonight.
    No matter still love downtown for the vibe and the ability to stretch your gambling funds. Tonite is our last night and are going to hit it hard :beer:before going to the M detox and recover.
     
  10. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    I treat a beggar with the same respect and dignity I would a CEO. And I expect the same respect from either of them. When they cross the line, they should be made aware but if they are not bothering me or other people, leave them be. The homeless do not bother me except to ask, and as long as poverty exists we ought to be reminded.Our humanity is the same as their own and always imagine yourself placed in the same shoes.
     
  11. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    I treat them the same way I treat timeshare people. I ignore them and say nothing. It works equally well for both types.

    I am still waiting to see an aggressive panhandler and we have stayed exclusively downtown for the last ~14 years. We are on Fremont early mornings and after dark.

    I understand it is not in some people's personality to say nothing when somebody is trying to talk to you, but I say nothing and it works. Try it, you'll like it. :poke:
     
  12. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    The only even slightly aggressive beggar I've encountered was last trip. it was down by neonopolis, some guy asked me if I had any change and I just shook my head no and kept walking, as I passed him he said "do you have $20", I stopped and said "yea, I do, but I'm not giving it to you".

    I really dont think giving money to panhandlers is right, it just encourages them to continue begging, when we all know that they really need to get on with their lives.
     
  13. Keyser Soze

    Keyser Soze Low-Roller

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    The homeless bums are never a problem.

    I ignore them. Just keep walking. Never respond to them.

    Again, it's no big deal.
     
  14. imwired

    imwired High-Roller

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    I always have mixed feelings about these people, whether in Vegas or elsewhere. On the one hand, I wouldn't want to be homeless. On the other hand, I don't know whether some of these people are pros and take in a lot of money. And there are other ways to give to charity. Plus I don't want to stop and take my wallet out of my purse to get money for them. (I don't usually have money in my pocket)
    So I usually try to ignore them or just say "sorry no" and keep moving.
    I can't recall any of them getting aggressive.
     
  15. Laura_W

    Laura_W Low-Roller

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    We were downtown last month on a Tuesday night. I have to say as we were standing watching the canopy show we were approached MANY times by homeless asking for money. We would just say no and they would walk away. There was one guy who had something written on paper. He patted my husband on the arm and put the paper in his face to read. I think he said it started with I'm deaf and mute. Right than my husband said - Sorry I can't read. The guy walked away...
    I honestly think the timeshare people on the strip are WAY worse than the homeless asking for money downtown. The timeshare people will pester you, and follow you whereas the homeless just walked away.
     
  16. AceQueen

    AceQueen Tourist

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    Something different

    Where I live they run out at a light and wash your window (regardless if you said no) I have very clean windows.
     
  17. dfalk

    dfalk VIP Whale

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    There were probably half a dozen sitting around my last trip there. I didn't get approaced once, every one I saw was just sitting there quietly with their sign. I ususally never give money to beggers but I was losing so badly I gave every bum I saw $1 thinking it would change my luck, it didn't.
     
  18. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Everyone seems to have different experiences with the beggar/homeless people.

    The only constant is that they are there and in greater numbers. That alone is something the authorities should address. But they won't because these people have rights.

    Visitors have rights also, but apparently they (authorities) forget. I think they figure we're there for a short while so they just brush the problem under the carpet, so to speak.
     
  19. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    Personally I think I've encountered just as many beggars on The Strip as I have Downtown.

    What to do with these people, the homeless, the beggars, the drug addicts, etc, is a pretty complex issue to deal with and so while it might seem like nothing is being done about them I think they are doing about the most they can and not just "brushing it under the carpet" because the people you think are most affected are tourists that are there for only a couple of days a year.
     
  20. merlin

    merlin MIA

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    One thing is absolutely clear, if they were ignored, they would go away. When you feed a stray cat, he will be back.
     
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