How much money do you think pan handlers make?

[sv2007]

Many years ago, I saw something that can best be described as pan handlers changing shifts. One pan handler leaving while another taking over; they exchanged a few words and the new pan handler taking over the old one's spot exactly.

I think pan handlers at Tully and S King in San Jose, CA make $40-$60/hr.

Yesterday, while being stuck there for 4 lights, I monitored the pan handler getting money from 2 or 3 cars during each red light. Assuming each transaction is $1 and the light cycles every 5 min, that's 2 * 20 = $40 or 3*20 = $60.

Next time, if you happen to wait at some intersection; you may want to observe this interesting "job". First, it passes the time, and pan handler's pay may be surprisingly higher than you think : )

I really hate that intersection, but I'm addicted to the Vietnamese sandwiches there. If you've never tried one, you should. Get the one with pate and and head cheese; they are the best.

[AnotherReader]

The money is better at SilverCreek/King and Capitol Expressway. Long lights and two or three lights to get through a left turn at peak traffic times. I have heard $10-$30 an hour is common there.

Although the "workers" seem to have worked out an amicable agreement about shifts, the drunken fights, public urination and defecation, and harassment of customers in the Target Center should give the donors pause...

[nadine_doa]

If you're thinking about mendicancy as a career, try Palo Alto.

$10s and $20s are the usual guilt-alleviating fare. I've no doubt some of these people are clearing $200 an hour, tax-free.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

People carry enough cash these days to give to panhandlers?

[rennigade]

No one knows what a panhandler makes. Terms like "I think" or "ive heard" is speculation.

Lets put it this way...I dont make $60/hr yet I have no interest in quitting my job and trying panhandling out. If you think panhandlers make that much money then I have a bridge to sell you. Ill first need a $5k deposit in bitcoin.

[disneysteve]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMe6GfxFsM

John Stossel did a report on this.

[AnotherReader]

No one knows what a panhandler makes. Terms like "I think" or "ive heard" is speculation.

Lets put it this way...I dont make $60/hr yet I have no interest in quitting my job and trying panhandling out. If you think panhandlers make that much money then I have a bridge to sell you. Ill first need a $5k deposit in bitcoin.

I know a lady that housed a few of these folks several years ago, thinking if they had a place to live, their lives would get better. They hung out in her back yard and spent their "earnings" on alcohol and drugs. Based on their consumption, the cash they flashed, and what they told her, that was her estimate.

We used to have laws against vagrancy and begging until the courts deemed these behaviors "free speech." We need to bring those laws back.

[disneysteve]

We used to have laws against vagrancy and begging until the courts deemed these behaviors "free speech." We need to bring those laws back.

I think if you are sitting on a street corner with your hat out for donations, that's one thing. But if you are walking back and forth in traffic approaching cars one by one, that should be illegal. Sorry but in today's world, I do not trust anyone walking up to my window when I'm stopped at a red light with no way to get out of there, especially since this primarily happens in bad neighborhoods anyway.

I also get annoyed when I'm approached in a store, usually a convenience store, by someone asking for money. Really? Can't the management do anything to keep those folks out of their business? It's private property. Call the police and get them out of there.

[bjl584]

I have no idea how much a panhandler makes. Personally, I don't feel comfortable rolling my window down and handing someone money on a street corner. I'd rather just make a donation to a local charity or food bank. Much safer and much better chance that the money will be put to a good cause.

[StormRichards]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kdMe6GfxFsM

John Stossel did a report on this.

I have seen similar reports locally. News crews filming and following beggars that work busy intersections. A couple of them living in nice houses in great neighborhoods. It is disgusting.

[StormRichards]

I think if you are sitting on a street corner with your hat out for donations, that's one thing. But if you are walking back and forth in traffic approaching cars one by one, that should be illegal. Sorry but in today's world, I do not trust anyone walking up to my window when I'm stopped at a red light with no way to get out of there, especially since this primarily happens in bad neighborhoods anyway.

I also get annoyed when I'm approached in a store, usually a convenience store, by someone asking for money. Really? Can't the management do anything to keep those folks out of their business? It's private property. Call the police and get them out of there.

There are a couple of intersections that I pass on my daily commute, both of which are two lanes in each direction. If I see someone begging on one side, I change lanes to the other. And if I am walking by beggars on the sidewalks, I hold on to my purse extra tight.

As for this happening in stores, the best thing you can do is to complain to the manager/owner. Some stores are already aggressive with dealing with the issue, but others just need a little nudge. If they realize they are going to start losing customers, they will address the problem.

[GoodSteward]

I have no idea how much a panhandler makes. Personally, I don't feel comfortable rolling my window down and handing someone money on a street corner. I'd rather just make a donation to a local charity or food bank. Much safer and much better chance that the money will be put to a good cause.

Exactely. I have helped some before like this, but when I go back later I find they have a nice car and they have friends that hang out with them. What is sad is that there are some that really do need the help, but because people are so dishonest that they would play on people's hearts to be lazy it's hard to want to help people like that.

Instead, I look for ways to help like charities that I feel confident in. Not every charity actually helps many people, and the majority of the money rarely goes to actual needs. Look at Goodwill vs Salvation Army. The CEO of Goodwill makes half a million while the CEO at Salvation Army makes very little.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-hrabe/the-worst-corporation-in-_b_1876905.html

On that score, I also suggest not giving to mega churches and Televangelist that showcase their earnings in a sick way. Mansions, high-end everything, luxury cars and jets. That really bothers me.

[97guns]

I know the capital expressway silver creek intersection very well and I see the same people there every time. I hang out at Starbucks and go to Ross across the street often, I see the same people shopping Walgreens and eating at Popeyes and Wendy's

I see a Persian lady in front of the post office holding a sign that says she is desperate and has 3 hungry kids at home, well if she has someone to watch them while she does a 6 hour shift panhandling then she can get someone to watch them while she goes to work

All these Saps can work, I'll be damned if I'll give money I've worked for to ANY of them

Last time I gave anything to a panhandler was in Hong Kong to a really old lady wearing rags with a tin can banging it on the sidewalk

[disneysteve]

if she has someone to watch them while she does a 6 hour shift panhandling then she can get someone to watch them while she goes to work

I have the same thought about a guy who is always on the corner near my office. If he is physically able to stand out there all day long, walking back and forth begging for money for hours at a time, surely there must be some sort of legitimate work he could be doing.

I suspect this ties into the other thread about people working for cash. If these folks also get disability payments, food stamps, Medicaid, etc. and they beg on top of that, they get cash income totally off the books. Even if they only make $5-10/hour, it's all profit.

[Thrif-t]

You know to be honest, I see these people but I've never witnessed anyone ever giving them money. I'm sure with the holidays coming they will soon be out in full force.