Businesses urge officials to get tough on panhandlers
The days of panhandling on Lawrence streets could be numbered. After concerns from downtown businesses, city commissioners are expected to talk about banning most panhandling activities downtown. Enlarge video
On the street
Do you think Lawrence has a panhandling problem?
No. There are cities with much larger homeless populations, and I think Lawrence does an admirable job helping those in need.
Reader poll
Damian Scott might be the friendliest panhandler in town.
"Excuse me, could you possibly spare some change?" asks Scott of downtown shoppers while on a bench outside an area coffee shop.
When they decline and say "sorry," Scott replies, "Don't be sorry, just have a nice day."
Scott, who has been homeless "on and off" for about five months, says he finds the best approach when asking people for money is simply being friendly.
"I'm always polite," says Scott, who speaks of other panhandlers downtown who don't take the same approach, sometimes leading to arguments between panhandlers and residents. Scott says he's aware of the local "aggressive panhandling" ordinance, and he doesn't like some tactics other panhandlers use.
"I think that's wrong," says Scott. "They should just be polite."
Scott says he adheres to the "panhandling code": If someone else is panhandling or playing music in an area, he goes somewhere else.
On this day, as the working crowd shuffles through downtown heading to lunch, Scott's hungry and trying to get some money for food. He's also trying to get enough money for an elderly friend who doesn't like to panhandle.
After sitting on the bench for about 15 minutes, Scott has a long way to go before he'll have enough money for lunch. So far, he has about 80 cents piled up next to him.
While Scott admits that sometimes he's looking for cigarette money, mostly it's just for food.
Scott says that after a while, he can usually get enough money for something to eat, about $5. The most he's ever received from someone: a "ten-spot."
Scott graduated from Lawrence High School in December and had his own one-bedroom apartment, but was evicted because of a fire. He was able to get another apartment, but was evicted for letting some of his homeless friends stay with him. Some nights he stays at the shelter, and sometimes he sleeps outside.
He occasionally plays a keyboard when panhandling.
"I'm too young for this," says Scott of being on the streets. "Some (panhandlers) are looking for money for drugs and alcohol, but some of us are looking for help."
- Shaun Hittle is a graduate student in journalism at Kansas University. He can be reached at x99hittle@hotmail.com.
Comments
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merrill (anonymous) says…
Downtown panhandlers have not been a bother to me. If one does not have money to give do not engage with them. Keep moving.
justforfun (anonymous) says…
ok. graduated from high school in December yet still can't get a job???? Hello!!! McDonalds Taco Bell any fast food place! Give me a break. I'm not buyin it and i'm not givin! Damian please get of your rear end and go get a job. Was that polite enough?
dancemomx2 (Sheila White) says…
justforfun - i feel the same way. my daughter just graduated from LHS in may. she had a job most of the time in high school. she then got a partial scholarship to go to a community college, in a very small town. she thought she wouldn't be able to find anything, but is now working at a hospital in a close town and going to school. when she started this job (about 6 weeks ago) she was only making min. wage. now they have given her a raise to $8 an hour and love the work she is doing. i'm thankful she knows she has to help support herself. maybe someone needs to circle some want ads in the paper and give it to this young man. some just don't want to put any effort in to doing things for themselves? so sad. what is this world coming to if an 18 year old can't get a job. so very sad.:(
Ragingbear (anonymous) says…
Are you aware that if you list your address as 946 New Hampshire, or the Community Center, or as just "Homeless" that people simply will not hire you? They all know what address those are.
dancemomx2 (Sheila White) says…
I'm sorry but this individual had an apartment. yes it may have caught on fire but i believe their are agencies that help in situations like that. when he was in school what was his address? some one had to pay fees. i'm just saying if you aren't even going to try why should i help? my husband and i have 3 children. 1 in college, 1 in elem. school and one who is not old enough to be in school. we both work 40 plus hours a week. neither one of us have a college degree and we both have decent jobs. my husband was homeless at 15 and he has had a job ever since. so i'm sorry if i offend anyone with what i say, but i don't want to help anyone if they aren't at least trying to help themselves.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
I think I will just bang my head on a concrete wall today rather than participate in this argument with no possible resolution. Good luck to all the payer today, and remember. "Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience".
xbusguy (chris Ogle) says…
excuse me sir, would work be out of the question?
ddavis (anonymous) says…
check out msnbc- jobless rate jumps to a 14yr high!! Its easier said than done people. Get over yourselves and grow a damn heart!
shawn1040 (anonymous) says…
Damian - Obama will help you - give him a call. I am sure it's "the man's" fault that he is out on the street. All of you Obama voters need to open your homes to this guy, maybe even give him one of your cars.. Come on now, help those behind you - spread some wealth!!!
PapaB (anonymous) says…
Hey, could any of you spare some change?
lionbacker (anonymous) says…
if these idiots would get a job at mcdonalds or taco bell, they would have money and get to eat for free, HELLO!!!!!!!!!!
autie (anonymous) says…
four threads on the same thing? Could LJW create a readers digest condensed version of the panhandler thing in one article? We got the poll, OTS and two articles all about the same subject.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Autie -Apparently, since Dolph's boy lost the election, he's going to take it out on the bums.
geekin_topekan (anonymous) says…
True that LB.If you work in a kitchen and go hungry,it's your own fault.I will have to call BS on the food part.No one and I mean NOBODY can go hungry in Lawrence,Ks.I realize that it is not always convenient to get to LINK,Sally's or the nearest pantry but if you are hungry in Lawrence,Ks.it is because you are too lazy to go to where the food is.I have never known a recipient but,Meals on Wheels is available to the elder, is it not?Social services are strained everywhere these days it seems but,here in Lawrence,food is not a problem for anyone who is willing or able to get to it.Granted,it may not be what you WANT to eat but,hey,beggars can't be choosers right?
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
shawn, don't be irrational because your candidate lost. I don't know why this kid doesn't have a job. He graduated from LHS almost a year ago, and has had two apartments. How did he pay for the apartments? part of the story isn't told here.
xbusguy (chris Ogle) says…
Imagine the response if someone pulled out a cheese sandwich and handed that to him. "Sir, thank you, but I don't eat cheese-- can I just have the money?
SMe (anonymous) says…
ddavis Yes, it (getting a job) is "easier said than done" but at the least you have to keep trying to do it! The article says "He occasionally plays a keyboard when panhandling." Well, why not take the keyboard around and try to work gigs playing softly at coffeehouses, restaurants, etc.? There's always something. It may not be great or fun or clean but you always keep looking.
smitty (anonymous) says…
This young man is polite only when it serves him. Damian is one of two young men that queer baited another young man until a knife was brought out and Damian's friend got stabbed. The young man who did the stabbing has been sentenced already. Another sad story compliments of the wet shelter and Henderson. Damian nor any of the others at the stabbing were playing chess either, as Henderson claimed.Damian, I know you are at a computer reading all of these posts. Get help!! There is no shame in getting help to get your life together.
tomwbarker (anonymous) says…
I actually feel bad for some of these individuals as I know some are struggling with different issues whether they just be psycholoigcal (drug addiction, depression, etc) or just down on their luck. However, this pogressive little town of Lawrence of ours has many oppurtunities to help them get back on their feet. The last two times I was on Mass I was approached by someone asking if I had any change, when I said no they swore at me. One time I even offer to buy them a meal and they declined. I admit something does need to be done to clean up Mass a little. I also find it funny that all the "progressive" people who supported a candiate that wants to redistribute the wealth are so upset that they can't get to their little coffee shop.Maybe we need another tax increase to help these guys out so they can eat while they are on the T. Please note the sarcasm!!!!!!
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
blame everything on the opposite party. that is effective.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
mom_of_three~ I wouldn't assume that shawn is irrational because his man lost. I suspect he would be irrational regardless. Or just clueless. I backed Obama 100% and I don't think able-bodied, mentally competent lazy bums should get a handout from anybody. I have never heard Obama suggest they should, either, but Shawn is welcome to supply us with a reliable link showing that Obama says we should carry lazy people.What I did hear him say was that the super-rich have had TAX advantages long enough and it's time to shift that to the working middle class.I agree with everyone who wonders what this delightfully polite person's problem is that he can't get a job. Please. There are lots of entry-level jobs in Lawrence. Why can't he get one?And where are his parents? If he's destitute, can't he move back home? This wouldn't be our business except for the fact that he's been presented as a sympathetic figure and if it turns out he's brought his troubles on himself, we've been misled as much by what was withheld as by what was reported in the article.If we're supposed to buy Shaun Hittle's (the reporter's) version of Scott as such a noble, down-on-his-luck figure, Hittle should've told the whole story. Who's going to empathize with Scott if it turns out he was abusive to his mother or trashed the family home and was kicked out? or if he stole money from past employers or failed to come in when scheduled and is now not employable? Something's fishy about all the obvious questions that simply weren't asked--or the answers that weren't reported.Also, since he's local, surely he could use a Lawrence address (family, friends--someone!) on job applications, and have his mail accepted there. I don't buy the excuse some people are supplying on his behalf that he can't get a job because he doesn't have an address to put on the apps.Hittle apparently considered it unnecessary to look Scott in the eye and ask why he isn't employed or using his energies to look for work. I'd have thought this would have been the first and most logical line of questioning. This article raises more questions than it answers.But, hey--Hittle's still at the J School, so I don't want to be too hard on him. This should be a good learning experience on how to avoid glaring holes in your reporting.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
tomwbarker: please review the first 2 paragraphs of my previous post. Then go back and read (or listen on YouTube) what Obama actually said. He was talking about TAXES and who should and should not receive breaks. Hint: working people should (by virtue of tax breaks) see some of the wealth spread to them. He didn't say anything about able-bodied panhandlers being handed something for nothing, did he? DID he?Of course, I'm aware that you and your kind are willfully misinterpreting Obama's comments and intentions and that my reminding you isn't going to open your thick heads, but it gets tiresome to read those stupid, preposterous comments--they can't go unchallenged.
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
Don't park close to Midway airport in Chicago waiting to hear on cell phone when your party arrives to be picked up. The panhandlers are on the watch for you!.....and they can key your car after you say no and be gone before you have a chance to drive away!
KUweatherman (Curtis Lange) says…
I hear McDonald's is hiring.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
pywacket - you say everything so well.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
And i will need to remember it when I see family at the holidays who will complain about Obama's election.
MattressMan (anonymous) says…
I think there is work out there for someone who wants it. But wanting it and being able to apply, hold the position or just function at a job every day is what is sometimes lost. Did the school that sent this kid out into the world as a graduate prepare him? I'm of the belief that the local schools could really care less about a kid and their education unless they are college bound. The rest they just herd through and wash their hands of them as soon as possible. Preparing the kids for college that are going is important but also preparing a kid that is not going to college is just as if not more important. To be able to read and write at a level that allows you to fill out an application and follow directions. To be able to count and spend your money wisely that you earn. To be a responsible human being in that you can take care of yourself should be tought as well.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
mom: "pywacket - you say everything so well."Py's a grammogenarian.Not sure to which decade that refers... but an "old soul."( Not to imply that she[?] even believes in one. )
denak (anonymous) says…
I just have one question. Where are the parents? Granted he is over 18, but not by much, if he just graduated less than a year ago.He may be a legal adult but they need to get off their butts and help this boy. He is their responsibility not society's.I don't mean to be mean but it is the obligation of the family to take care of people in their family if all possible.If he is so able bodied and polite, go live with your uncle, aunt, cousins, whatever.Lastly, I am with those who think he should get a job. If he can sit there and talk, he can get a job as a telemarketer.Not the most glamerous job in the world but it pays well enough (8-9 dollars/hr).Dena
Haiku_Cuckoo (anonymous) says…
Damien, the Subway shop on 6th Street and Michigan has a "Help Wanted" sign in the window. It would be in your best interest to get over there and fill out an application.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
Dena: "I don't mean to be mean but it is the obligation of the family to take care of people in their family if all possible."What is that boundary which demarcates "family?"Is the line to be drawn about the nuclear?
denak (anonymous) says…
lol TRA, always trying to start trouble.To answer you question....no. I'm not talking about the immediate nuclear family. I"m talking about the extended family also.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
Dena: "lol TRA, always trying to start trouble."Well, I'm glad you're laughing, anyway. And, misunderstood as I am, I'm really not trying to start trouble ( though apparently I often succeed ) . Dena: "To answer you question:.no. I'm not talking about the immediate nuclear family. I"m talking about the extended family also."Actually, I was going broader... the family of... man.( Well, the "village" at least. Common wisdom holds that it "takes one...." )
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
Playing catch-up with a transplanted reply. ( Must have been distracted putting the petals back on a daisy. ) Well, speaking in the broadest generalities, with no specific case history before me, I must conclude that you again are incorrect.,;-^) Dena: "It is cruel to the child and to the foster/adoptive parents to force a child who is not ready to live in an environment that they can not handle emotionally... it is not in the child's best interest to force them into a situation that will hurt them emotionally even further."You've used the word "force" twice in the above exchange. Perhaps it would be less "cruel" if another verb were utilized. Dena: "P.S. Resiliancy is a good thing but not all children are resiliant."P.P.S. I would submit that chidren may be as resiliant as their caregivers perceive them to be. There is perhaps nothing more limiting than a circumscribed prognosis rendered by a "professional." Dena: "Most children need long term intensive therapy to get over what happened to them."Do we ever really "get over" what has happened to us... including the effects of long-term intensive therapy?Having said that, I'll leave the foster parenting to those working in the trenches, having gained some insight in that regard in a not dissimilar trench of my own, years ago.
sdinges (anonymous) says…
I feel sorry for a lot of homeless people - the mentally ill, the handicapped, even sometimes the drunk and addicted - but some able bodied kid?Saying that he can't get a job because no one hires you if you list the shelter address is an excuse. And a silly one. It is absolutely ridiculous to say that every manager in town has certain addresses memorized and blacklisted and inhumanly refuses to empathize with a kid who is down on his luck and actively trying to find a job.There are many, many people who are willing to give someone a chance if that person is willing to humble themselves with a personal appeal.
black_butterfly (anonymous) says…
It is so hillarious that Obama haters are going to use this forum try and connect Obama ( who hasn't even taken office yet) to every article, every problem, every bad thing happening in the U.S. today. Some of you really need to grow up. Blaming Obama for every negative thing that goes wrong in your life is a true sign of immaturity. Get a grip on reality. Obama is being accused of saying things he didn't say. Some of you probably didn't even watch the debates, you are just going by what you read from these morons here. Obama wants to help those who help themselves, not give handouts. He wants to help people go to college who are not from rich families, but have the grades and SAT scores to get in. He wants to provide help and health benefits for working famiies, not bums panhandling. Obama is fighting for you and you are too dumb to realize it. When life in the U.S. gets better under Obama's leadership, you Obama haters will be the first ones reaping the benefits and "whoopin and a hollarin", but we all know you won't give him credit.
beyondthedoor (anonymous) says…
I own the store Beyond the Door here on Mass street and have seen Damion many many time panhandling on the street. At first when I spoke to him he was very defensive in what he was doing, and I just kept trying to mother him and tell him what he should be doing with his life. I often asked him "aren't you ashamed to ask for money from other people when you are a strong young man and should be holding a REAL job. Well today he came in and told me he had picked up 11 applications for employment and made him promise he would fill them out and hopefully get a job. We talked about panhandling and I told him if we wants to work 7 days a week then go ahead and do this on your days off. This wonderful kid has come a long way since I have Badgered him to do something with his life. I hope my words from my heart are coming out to him and he will follow up with these job opportunities.peacesherry
Informed (anonymous) says…
Hmmmm, I just checked out Larryville. I'll bet this Damian kid is the one that Yellow House is trying to find help for. I wonder if anything's really changed for him, beyondthedoor?