Comments on: Mayor Hotline Nov 7 to 13

By: bikegirl

bikegirl — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:38:35 +0000

I help the homeless and less fortunate population in the area by donating money, goods and time to the charities that help them. It’s far better than handing out dollars every time I go to the grocery store. At least the charities provide a place to sleep, some food, a mailing address for job hunting and some education.

I am really starting to resent the lies I know are on those cardboard signs. There was one woman who was “4 months pregnant” for the better part of a year. It’s pathetic. And I agree that it’s making Boise look bad.

If we all stop paying beggars, they’ll have no choice but to find legitimate means to make ends meet.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:40:34 +0000

Just ask em if they filed their taxes

By: zoom802

zoom802 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:03:34 +0000

Every week (taking my aged mother on her weekly errands…) I watch a ring of ‘homeless unfortunates’ who meet each other, trade signs, drop off/pick up dogs, relieve each other while one goes in the store to buy smokes/snacks, stand up/switch positions in wheelchairs
…and I’m supposed to feel sorry for panhandlers?? Yes, there ARE people who need help, but these scammers who’re allowed to practice their insulting ‘free enterprise’ methods towards people who want to help are a pretty sorry bunch. When I watch people reaching into their jackets or backpacks to change their signs, my pity is long-gone!

By: Brielle

Brielle — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:25:57 +0000

As a native of New York that moved here last year, I can honestly say from experience that many of these ‘homeless’ panhandle as a profession.

I’ve walked with a homeless friend down streets in New York, and she’d point out here and there people who had signs saying “Need help getting home to [random city here across the country]” and then show me down the block where they had a small apartment.

Or, the times during the holidays where I’d offer to buy a meal for someone, only to have them refuse, but are more then happy to accept $$$.

Like Shane pointed out, these street corner beggers are likely not as ‘down on their luck’ as they’d like you to think.

Yes, some people may consider me harsh and unkind, but the truth hurts.

By: Brianthedog

Brianthedog — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:09:14 +0000

I was approached in the parking lot of Cabela’s on Franklin. She was begging for money because her car ran out of gas on the freeway. I had a gas can and offered her a ride. She abruptly turned and went to another customer.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:02:11 +0000

Note to Just a Thought…:

You are right. Let’s just scoop up all the homeless and throw them in a nice warm cozy jail. That “habitual offender” and people like him look bad hanging around on the street and in the bushes.

We have a homeless problem in this coutry that is exacerbated by the economy and housing foreclosures and people with no money. Mental institutions overflowing with people who have no safety net and people content to ignore the reality of all this.

Frankly, I am amazed the crime rate continues to go down instead of up as we drag our way through this econcomic mess created by our beloved bankers who ought to be taking up space in our jails and prisons.

By: Zippo

Zippo — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:37:55 +0000

Reno is our solution… and a cheap one too. Free bus ticket and a roll of quarters when they arrive

By: D Lane

D Lane — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:29:13 +0000

Bottom of it all is that eventually they will issue a Warrant for unpaid fines, he’ll get arrested, can’t get bailed out so will get a few to several days, may months in Ada County Jail with free mini meals, cot and a mini tooth brush.
Is Reno a solution or is it out of sight out of mine?

By: bikeboy

bikeboy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:22:15 +0000

Reno, heck!

Take some of that streetcar money, and buy a couple buses. (Mayor Dave could even drive one, if he’d like!) One-way passenger rides to Fresno, where the buses could be loaded with delicious and reasonably-priced produce, to bring back to the good citizens of Boise!

(But seriously, I have sympathy for the involuntary homeless. They’re not accustomed to the hardships of that lifestyle. The pros are resourceful; they’ll figure out a way to survive. And I have yet to see the “frozen bodys,” unless there was a contributing factor, like intoxication.)

By: Just a thought....

Just a thought.... — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:36:20 +0000

Fyi Paul…..that guy already had six cases against him with fines totaling $920.00; which has gone unpaid. This guy is more than just someone sleeping in the bushes…sounds more like a habitual offender that has no regard for the law???