KHOU: Many street beggars are scam artists
KHOU-11 posts an interesting story from Jeff McShan. McShan apparently went out on the streets to investigate street begging. Here's a snippet:
It’s been well documented that across the nation that street beggars are becoming creative. Some have been said to make more than $40,000 dollars a year.
One woman, who was soliciting money for her dying child, actually avoided our cameras after we learned her story was a lie.
“Probably most of them are lying to get the money,” said Assistant District Attorney Russell Turbeville.
That captures the general tone of the story, which is worth reading in full (especially the bit about the blind Montrose street beggar).
In June, Mayor White sent out fundraising letters to his supporters urging Houstonians to refrain from giving money to street beggars, and promised an advertising campaign. I never saw/heard any such ads. Maybe instead of giving street beggars money, we should print copies of the Mayor's letter to hand out instead!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 08/03/06 11:32 PM | Houston Miscellany | Technorati | Sphere | Comments (1)
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