Panhandling Kids? - Page 2 - PhillyBlog

bubbasammyiii · #11 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 09:04 AM

Hey bernie25: oooh, well done. The problem is that I've also been hit up at the Lukoil station near the Acme on City Line and on the Parkway and those kids were black. Unless there is a parallel contingent of white kids doing the same thing I think we are all talking about the same kids. I repeat my earlier post...

Tim K · #12 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yummy

Is this a scam? Yeah, probably about 80% of the time. But WTF, there are worse ways to get some cash and I like M&M's (as opposed to guns). I was a boy scout in 1981 and sold my neighbors in Mayfair Tom Watt junk they did not want...at least I like candy. Is there any difference - except that I had to kick back 70% to Mr. Watt - if that was his real name (probably a GOP heavy-hitter who ended up cutting my student loan programs, no less).

And as for legitimate jobs, eff that. I was a paper boy for 3 years in the Northeast and no one would ever pay me. Bums, all of 'em. And the Daily News never helped me collect so I worked for free for years. To recap, eff that.

First, let me say I'm Philly born and raised and have lived in NYC / Chicago / Boston since. I have seen this all over and have never seen one of these kids get aggressive and bang on anyone's car or get in anyone's face in. Bad for business. These kids are smarter than that. The only people I have ever witnessed doing that is punk-ass, fat-ass, pasty George W Bush wannabes from Montgomery County being dragged down the Parkway by their fatass parents (after seeing the shiny armor at the Art Museum and then spitting gum on the floor). Some 12 year old doughy piece of human garbage (future amblulence chasing attorney) banged on my back window @ 22nd and the Parkway last month. Did I condemn all white suburbanites? No. Should I have? Probably, yes.

So, thatguy, with all due...I am calling bullshit on your tale. I have seen those same kids about 520 times in front of Park Towne south of the Parkway. I remember thinking they were almost too "take it or leave it". We would've sold WAY harder when we were kids.

And I think that the cops may have some more pressing matters. What with that pesky murder rate and all. Or maybe the evil-doing terrorists. Or roping off my street so that PGW can drill it again. Or maybe real problems. Of any sort.

You should thank God tonight this is a big problem for you. A lot of people have real ones.

Uh. These kids aren't selling anything. Not that I think 12yr old kids should be running in and out of traffic selling candy bars or bottled water, but at least they are doing something to earn the money. What everyone here is talking about....and what you are missing....is the fact that these kids are just ASKING for money. They hold up handwritten "signs" usually on looseleaf paper ASKING for money to "help their basketball team". There are no adults around, no jugs to collect with, and no sign that there is actually a basketball team. The intersection of 30th and Market is a popular spot, as is the Spring Garden bridge over 76. I posted a similar thread about 2 weeks ago....

http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/showthread.php?t=37346

wysong · #13 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSTdude

I can't believe the cops let them stand in the middle of the road doing this crap.

forget the cops, it should be their parents being the ones saying get the fcuk out of the street. it's pretty dangerous standing in the midddle of some of the busiest streets of the city.

personally, i got no problem w/ these kids...they don't bother me and i don't see why they would bother anyone else (i guess it's different if they're pounding on your window). if they ask, how difficult is it to say "no". i suppose it would be better if they were a little more industrious by selling water and candy, which some of them do.

GMonkey · #14 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 11:26 AM

I've seen kids in the middle of the intersection by the zoo doing this. I'm sure that it's not legitimate, but when they are 12, they can't really work and it's a shame that their parents can't help them, or have possibly put them into this situation.

I saw a couple of hippy chicks (white) in front of Trader Joe's in Media supposedly collecting for something in Africa. They didn't have any literature, just a paper-covered coffee can with a slit in the top and a clipboard with some scribbles on printer paper. I asked them to give me a website for their organization and that I would consider donating after reading up about it. They wouldn't supply me with one, but offered to take my credit card # for convenient monthly auto-donations. BTW--they looked to be making a killing!

GreenSTdude · #15 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim K

Uh. These kids aren't selling anything. Not that I think 12yr old kids should be running in and out of traffic selling candy bars or bottled water, but at least they are doing something to earn the money. What everyone here is talking about....and what you are missing....is the fact that these kids are just ASKING for money. They hold up handwritten "signs" usually on looseleaf paper ASKING for money to "help their basketball team". There are no adults around, no jugs to collect with, and no sign that there is actually a basketball team. The intersection of 30th and Market is a popular spot, as is the Spring Garden bridge over 76. I posted a similar thread about 2 weeks ago....

http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/showthread.php?t=37346

Ummm...are you folks gullible or what? It's a scam. There is no "basketball team". The kids are dumped off by some dude in the morning and picked up later. The money goes directly into their pockets.

KENfmt · #16 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenSTdude

Ummm...are you folks gullible or what?

Ummmm....did you miss the below quotes?

Quote:

Any chance they're legitimate? If not, why aren't the cops chasing them away??

I have trouble believing that any of the money they collect is going towards basketball uniforms.

Basketball uniforms my a$$!

It's a scam.

Take caution when near them, wouldn't be surprised if they are carrying weapons.

Is this a scam? Yeah, probably about 80% of the time.

There are no adults around, no jugs to collect with, and no sign that there is actually a basketball team.

youngphilly · #17 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 01:53 PM

I am sorry to say I gave these kids money. I gave the one money and another kid runs up to my car saying he asked me first- feeling bad I gave him money as well. They then started fighting and threw the money on the ground- which really irritated me- and let me know they re definitely not legitmate. I have to say I think the kids are more like 8 and 10 years and I can't believe how early they have lost their innocence. I think I was scammed a few weeks back by a kid at Philly flavor while his parents watched on. I really think there is a problem with many kids these days in that they feel entitled to money for doing nothing.What can I say though I love basketball and kids are my soft spot.At the end of the day I lost 7 bucks I would have spent on cofee at Mugshots. I just hope these kids come across someone in their life who can provide them the guidance they are not getting from their parents.

KENfmt · #18 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngphilly

I really think there is a problem with many kids these days in that they feel entitled to money for doing nothing.

When people give it to them, what do you expect?

youngphilly · #19 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 02:05 PM

Believe me I have learned my lesson. I am trying very hard to remain a democrat in this city but it's getting harder every day.

KENfmt · #20 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngphilly

Believe me I have learned my lesson. I am trying very hard to remain a democrat in this city but it's getting harder every day.

I'm not sure what being a democrat has to do with being a mark.