Comment Archives: stories: Voices: Abdul
Re: “You're Paying for Panhandlers”
Shabazz is right on target. Indy is losing millions in lost revenue. Other charitable groups should have a tax id or some such identifier.
The lone panhandler is NOT in that group. Many are very aggressive in their approach and border on economic extortion not free speech.
And there are plenty of social agencies for those truly in need and should be supported.
The lone wolf panhandler often doesn't need/want help but just wants cash for drugs,booze, smokes or to support a free range lifestyle and just scam folks.
Re: “You're Paying for Panhandlers”
Fuck pandhandlers
Re: “You're Paying for Panhandlers”
It is about time! San Diego let their panhandling situation get way out of control, to the point that I won't go back. Good for us to finally realize that it isn't "charitable" to give to panhandlers--its stupid. People who are actually-homeless and in need can't be helped with cash handouts--you need to support the programs that provide job training and housing.
Re: “You're Paying for Panhandlers”
I've witnessed the "changing of the guard", where the nice, new model car drives up, unloads/loads up the panhandlers, and departs. Oddly, on one particular day, one of the women panhandling near I465 showed up later that afternoon (same hair, same clothing) panhandling near Lafayette Road. Donate to the honest collection centers who actually care for the homeless. Please do not support the charlatans who appear to be in need while limping only when someone looks (or the fellow on 30th St who stashes his $700 touring bike in the bushes and then pulls out his little cardboard "please give a penny" sign).
Please donate to those in actual need; they're not the ones soliciting you.
Re: “You're Paying for Panhandlers”
"If we can't round them up and ship them off, at least we can stop subsidizing them."
This is not about anyone's activities, nor "subsidizing" those activities (which is a rich term, considering). They are scaring away certain types of visitors, because of who they are. They should band together and threaten to NOT leave until the city gives their group a financial incentive to do so. We've had private businesses/teams threaten to leave if they aren't subsidized, and we pay because it benefits the city's image and economy.
There are already rules in place preventing them from being aggressive. They must act within certain norms for safety reasons. If you just want them gone, and your reason is that they cost the city money, then pay them to go. You're presenting it as a good business decision to prevent their panhandling, so negotiate a deal.
Re: “You're Paying for Panhandlers”
Instead of punishing the poor, why not address the problems that create panhandlers? Oh, yeah, that would mean taking a hard look at businesses and the economy.
What's next, Debtors' Prisons?
Re: “The FOP and David Bisard”
I am an officer with IMPD. I resigned from the FOP years ago because of their habit of providing legal assistance to dirty cops. As for Bisard, he got in front of the FOP back in 2010 and swore up and down he was innocent and was not intoxicated at the time he killed Eric Wells. Yes, the "good old boy network" believed him and rubber stamped his request. Now, $250,000 dollars later, he is arrested for DWI. Gee fellow officer, do you suppose he WAS intoxicated the first time? Resigning from the FOP and saving the $50 a month in dues was the best financial decision I ever made.
Re: “Cricket, Anyone?”
How bored are you guys at NUVO that this is the 2nd column about cricket? Now, if you want to lament or wax poetic about Rickety Cricket from 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia', then you're onto something.
Re: “Mass transit's next stop”
Right on target..the light rail is a dream of yuppies who have
visited Portland, their Mecca. It mostly serves rich folk in the
'burbs.
Buses serve a much greater population and offer much more
versatility in routes to destinations. A bus can be rerouted much more easily than a train. And they can serve all economic classes.
Re: “Mass transit's next stop”
Thank you for your level headed thoughts and efforts on mass transit in central Indiana Mr. Shabazz ! Is it so unrealistic that Indianapolis should be able to compete with Columbus Ohio which is also a state capitol and has about the same population yet twice as many buses as Indianapolis ?
Re: “Out of Work? Maybe You're the Problem.”
You can start by losing the attitude, pulling your pants up, speaking English and buying an alarm clock.
Re: “Panhandling Problems”
Kyle,
Here is my proof. http://www.chipindy.org/CountReport.php And for the record, I am a heartless, but I am not a scumbag, I am worse. I am a black conservative attorney!
Re: “Indy's Crime & Punishment, Part 2”
I have been reading Shabazz's column regularly as well
as the Indianapolis Recorder every week. Many pastors and
community leaders are perplexed about this growing teen
'thug' problem which are a small minority of teens. Most teens are looking for guidance, and staying in school.
The 'gangs' make the problem even more complex as alliance to the gangs is the primary motivator in some lives. Do supervised teen centers work? Suburban teens have garages for bands and activity. No garages in the projects, so would a teen center help?
Are gangs the first or last choice for some teens.
It is sad that Black Expo (a wonderful event) can be so easily ruined by a handful of delinquents. Does it start with class disruptions and ineffective discipline?
Should we look for the source of this issue? Parents, schools, unsupervised teen time? Young teens shot for 'disrespecting' someone else? Manners, restraint, socialization with community, good behavior...all issues on the court.
Re: “Indy's Crime & Punishment, Part 2”
Solving youth violence is a very complex problem. Often the "parental blame" solution is without correlative complex thought. It is hard to be a parent when employment options and pay scales dictate less family time. I think the important question is how to empower good parents to be our best public safety net.
Re: “An At-Large Risk”
The San Diego City Council is a full time job, paying its councilors about $75,000 a year. The Indianapolis City Council is a part time job and pays its members much less.
Re: “Panhandling Problems”
until I hear your reply... I'll just assume you're another heartless scumbag who aims threats at the weakest members of our society in order to puff up their already over-inflated egos...
Re: “Indy's Crime & Punishment, Part 1”
If you've done any research at all on the prohibition of alcohol in the United States - then I'm certain your next article will be advocating the legalization of marijuana and other currently illegal narcotics... as you must certainly realize that prohibition led to the rise of an uncontrollable criminal culture.
Re: “Panhandling Problems”
I'm still waiting on your reply???
Re: “Indy's Crime & Punishment, Part 1”
I really enjoyed the article; I think you are a little presumptuous as to why a person got killed (owing drug dealers? Doubt it). Nevertheless; I like the statistics you mention, and the information you provided.
Top Commenters
Re: “You're Paying for Panhandlers”
There is also the issue of that pesky constitution. At its core, a request for donations for a cause, ANY cause, is free speech. How one makes these requests can be legislated, but only within certain legal parameters. From this article, it sounds like someone will not be able to simply hold a sign downtown. That's chilling.
The difference between a charitable group asking for money and a panhandler doing so, is the same. One of them is deemed undesirable and less powerful, and so the city is going to limit their rights. Do we have rights or is that all relative to one's economic and social status?
Directly asking for money is not extortion, especially as panhandling activity is currently legislated here. They are not using power and $$$ to manipulate legislation to favor their own interests. They also are not taking tax-payer money. You have the option to donate to them or not. It's one of the few non-manipulated economic endeavors around.