Homeless

Tonight we went into Carrollwood and got off at the Fletcher exit of the Interstate. At the corner was a couple panhandling. She was in a wheelchair and he was standing behind her. There was a crutch leaning on the wheelchair. She had a sign that said "disabled, need help." I was not sure if both were disabled or just her. He was able to walk over to get some change from someone.

I thought back to how at the MLK northbound exit there used to be people in a wheelchair with signs asking for help. Later I and others in the neighborhood learned that the wheelchair was a prop used by residents from a nearby boarding house (Northbay and Nebraska). One person would panhandle for a while and when his shift was over, he would go back to the boarding house and someone else would use the wheelchair.

I thought, what if a social services agency had a mobile van, (sort of like the I-275 Road Rangers) that would hit these intersections. Talk to the people at the corners and assess their needs. Provide them referrals, vouchers, or transportation to housing or etc. That way the homeless in need of services could get them. (Assuming there is funding). A database could be created, the scammers could get weeded out. Maybe the scammers could get reported to the police.

How do you separate the scammers from the needy? My neighbors took in this couple who were homeless. They lived in their garage for a while and helped them get moved into a place of their own and helped them get furniture. Months and months later I read about them in the Tribune. They were homeless again. Were they scamming or simply unable to keep it together due to drugs, alcohol, mental health, trapped in circumstances, or simply never taught the skills to keep it together. Often times at gas stations and McDonald's people come up to me asking for money, giving me some story of need. I need gas money to get to ......, my car broke down and I need taxi fare......, I need some money for food to eat and etc. Some people look down on their luck, others don't. Are they scamming or are they just in a momentary bad situation.

Once when I was a teenager (18?) I was at a church conference in downtown Birmingham. I rode up my my pastor and his wife but was taking the bus back. I get to the bus station and buy my ticket. I stuck it in my back pocket. At some point I discovered my ticket missing. I either dropped it or it was stolen from me. I knew no one in Birmingham. I did not have the extra cash for a new ticket. I had just enough for a meal. What do I do? I called some friends back at home and they arranged to wire me some cash. The problem was the Western Union was located in some hotel some place else. I can't remember how many blocks away it was. I walked over there and they did not have it. I walk around and come back. Still nothing. Again I walk around in this strange city and go back. At some point hours later I realize they money was wired to me as Scott and I was telling them I was David. The money had arrive hours earlier. However, the Western Union did not have the cash on hand. The Bus station would not cash a two party money order. Nor would the A and P. Finally the Western Union had the money and I was able to buy my ticket and go home. What if things had not worked out?Would I have had to panhandle and rely on the kindness of strangers to get home?