First impressions
This was the scene this weekend as tourists wandered around from the tour buses. It's very urban and New York-ish. I feel bad for the guy on the floor, but I guess he really doesn't belong there in the center of town making a first impression for tourists getting off the buses.
And if you're lucky, you don't get this guy, you get the 80 cents guy, below. He sits there and asks tourists, actually he asks anybody walking by for 80 cents. Always 80 cents. But he gets many tourists as they exit the Miami Nice bus. A trapped audience.
posted by Tom Falco at 8:00 AM
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9 Comments:
Downtown Miami has posted signs stating No Panhandling Zone. They seemed to work yesterday since no one asked me for money near the signs. I realize this option is controversial since panhandling in the zone carries a strong penalty.
I know the 80 cents guy from the free anchorage off of dinner key. I suspect he'll be gone after the anchorage gets cleaned up.
Soon you and I may be in the anchorage as the depression enters in full swing. Looking back we will see how [the anchorage gets cleaned up.] starts sounding a bit condescending. Hopefully I won't have to say "told ya".
disclosure:i do believe the anchorage is 'dirty', panhandling is obnoxious, and having a fake image is good for tourism.
Unfortunately every big city in the world has its share of these poor people. There is an old lady who has been practically living at Kennedy park for years, for instance, rain or shine.
I don't know what the City or local organizations could do to help them or relocate them for a better life.
Carlos
This area seems to be a problem - it is a shame this what the tourists see when they get off the bus. CVS has the same chronic problem.
Always has been, always will be.
The homeless like Miami except for Key Biscayne. I never see them there.
I give them money if I have it.
Oh, man. I got hit up by 80 cents guy all the time when I worked in cocowalk. It was always for the bus too, despite the fact that bus costs more than that.
The police tell you that as long as you give them money they will hang around. If you don't give them money most of them will take assistance from the Homeless Coalition so if you want to perpetuate the problem, keep giving them handouts. Come to a crimewatch meeting. Go to the Net Office and get cards that you can give them that entitles them to a free meal.
The woman who 'lives' in Kennedy park is named Yvonne. She is the one with the huge back-pack and walks extremely hunched over. She is very sweet and quiet. She has never asked for a thing and minds her own business. Her life is hard but I can't help but think she lives how she lives out of choice (mostly). She is most definitely mentally ill but never a nuisance. She attends St. Stephen's every single Sunday and participates in the services and all events and always does her best to look nice on Sunday mornings.
I just thought I'd give a human look at just one member of the homeless in Coconut Grove. Before we start a mass relocation of some kind, lets remember, these are individuals not just some mass pest.
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