Scam artist in QV

**bella751** · 10-05-2012, 11:40 AM

I usually give both the man and woman....the married couple money! I really believed they were struggling and trying to feed their children...I am stupid.

**queenbee** · 10-07-2012, 04:27 AM

Real special forces people would be really offended. I don't even know where that guy was able to purchase that jacket.

**Lolly** · 10-07-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by bella751

I usually give both the man and woman....the married couple money! I really believed they were struggling and trying to feed their children...I am stupid.

Ditto. I'm pretty sure I've given both of them something at least once. There are just some days more than others that I feel more sorry for pathetic-looking people, and can't seem to resist. Maybe it was bad/cold weather that day or something, or maybe near the holidays, and I think possibly I gave an extra-generous amount to the guy when he was wearing the cast + holding a sign saying he was losing his house and needed to feed his family. Have also given the old bearded guy by Home Depot handouts more times than I can count. Stupid, I know, and I have resisted the temptation more recently. I keep thinking I should put together a little flyer with a bunch of information about the various services available these folks could avail themselves of, and hand them that instead of my hard-earned cash.

**JoeBaker** · 10-09-2012, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by Lolly

Have also given the old bearded guy by Home Depot handouts more times than I can count. Stupid, I know, and I have resisted the temptation more recently.

The two old guys that look really broken down? One of them is in the wheelchair now? Those guys have been on my payroll for a while. They look legit to me. I don't generally give them cash but I do give them food and smokes.

I think the guy in the wheelchair is Charlie. Either that or that's just what I call him for some reason.

**hubba1** · 10-09-2012, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by JoeBaker

The two old guys that look really broken down? One of them is in the wheelchair now? Those guys have been on my payroll for a while. They look legit to me. I don't generally give them cash but I do give them food and smokes.

I think the guy in the wheelchair is Charlie. Either that or that's just what I call him for some reason.

And they are really nice, I love how the one guy helps out the wheelchair guy, pushes him, goes into the Dunkin for him and gets him coffee... teamwork..and they have been there for YEARS, definatly legit. The couple down on Washington (and now, sometimes at the driveway near the Longhorn and Ikea lots) I don't know about...but the older guys get a burger or coffees from me every once in a while!

**brock landers** · 10-09-2012, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by queenbee

Real special forces people would be really offended. I don't even know where that guy was able to purchase that jacket.

It comes with the GI Joe costume play set for ages 8 and up. It also comes with plastic dog tags and some stickers.

**bootsywannabe** · 10-10-2012, 06:07 PM

How about those guys down by Home Depot. It's amazing how fast they can move when somebody holds out a dollar. And now they are crammed right up in the inside lane, so you have to veer around the guy in the wheelchair. It definitely messes up traffic, and it's dangerous. It's also illegal. Why in the heck are these guys allowed to panhandle out there all the time? They've been there for almost 10 years now.

**brock landers** · 10-11-2012, 12:10 AM

The woman half of the couple was standing on Columbus today during rush hour, by the left turn onto I676/95, with a sign that said that she was a single mother of two kids.... what a scam artist.

**hubba1** · 10-11-2012, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by bootsywannabe

How about those guys down by Home Depot. It's amazing how fast they can move when somebody holds out a dollar. And now they are crammed right up in the inside lane, so you have to veer around the guy in the wheelchair. It definitely messes up traffic, and it's dangerous. It's also illegal. Why in the heck are these guys allowed to panhandle out there all the time? They've been there for almost 10 years now.

These guys are ok, thankful and don't beg... just there because no where else to go. The police seem to clear them out every once in a while, which seems to be the case this week, all of their stuff that is usually on the median is all gone, and so were they yesterday... I think they either go to a shelter or move to another location for a few days, then end up back there eventually.

**qweezyq** · 10-11-2012, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by hubba1

These guys are ok, thankful and don't beg... just there because no where else to go. The police seem to clear them out every once in a while, which seems to be the case this week, all of their stuff that is usually on the median is all gone, and so were they yesterday... I think they either go to a shelter or move to another location for a few days, then end up back there eventually.

A social worker I know told me they live in a group home.

**annie** · 10-11-2012, 09:23 AM

Charlie and Guy

They have their own little documentary.

**hubba1** · 10-11-2012, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by annie

Charlie and Guy

They have their own little documentary.

wow...thanks, that was pretty neat. And like I said (and he says in the video) they never actually beg, just kind of stand there and hope, but never knocking on windows or actually begging for money.

**AngelB** · 10-17-2012, 12:47 AM

Thanks for sharing "Charlie and Guy" with others. It is a great story of the real homeless and ill here in Philly.

As for the others, I would refer you to articles in the Philly Weekly + Inky about the "Live Free" or "Paradise" Hobo movements. They are all mainly about being a squatter in Philly in your 20's. The whole "No corporate thing for me" + drugs. It is a a sight I see daily on the way to work and try to forget about.

This story sums it up best in my opinion. Long but truthful...
A spirit wandering, then a life lost "Live free" drifter met violent end at squatters' "paradise." - Philly.com

**JoeBaker** · 10-17-2012, 02:38 AM

Originally Posted by AngelB

...the "Live Free" or "Paradise" Hobo movements. They are all mainly about being a squatter in Philly in your 20's. The whole "No corporate thing for me" + drugs. It is a a sight I see daily on the way to work and try to forget about.

Crusties.

If you're going to live that lifestyle hop a train to somewhere warm. Maybe they do. I don't recall seeing many of them in winter.

I feel bad when they have a crustie dog. Poor bastard.

**Pitt** · 10-17-2012, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by annie

Charlie and Guy

They have their own little documentary.

Tremendous. Thanks for posting.

**lucidinnature** · 10-17-2012, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by annie

Charlie and Guy

They have their own little documentary.

This is amazing.

**AngelB** · 10-20-2012, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by JoeBaker

Crusties.

If you're going to live that lifestyle hop a train to somewhere warm. Maybe they do. I don't recall seeing many of them in winter.

I feel bad when they have a crustie dog. Poor bastard.

Feel bad for the dog... yes.
The person exploiting the dog.. NEVER.

I only ever offer those people a can of dog food ....at the most.

**lucidinnature** · 10-20-2012, 01:33 PM

They do. I see them during the winter when I go to Savannah. One year I walked by about a dozen of them that hangout on south street.

Originally Posted by JoeBaker

Crusties.

If you're going to live that lifestyle hop a train to somewhere warm. Maybe they do. I don't recall seeing many of them in winter.

I feel bad when they have a crustie dog. Poor bastard.