Re: What's your take on this?

I saw the same family a few times now..in target parking lot in Copiague and the same family in Trader Joes in Merrick. It surprised me they were in two VERY far apart locations. And i am not believing it b/c of that, but I DO believe the man and maybe the wife is mentally ill, because a sane person doesn't put their children through this!!

What's your take on this?

My best friend is a Suffolk County cop, and she has said that this is a scam. It's mostly the same adults, though I'm sure other people are doing it now. Those aren't their kids. They come in from Brooklyn, and borrow kids from friends or family to run this scam.... that's why it's rarely the same kids. They've been warned that they will be arrested in the first precinct if they come there again. They used to stand outside my church on Sundays. They murmur prayers when you give them money... sometimes the woman is holding rosary beads. That might just be how they were when I saw them, because they are outside of a church, but who knows. They've been warned time and again about this, and if you see them you should call the police.

It sucks because there are SO many people who are in need and are deserving... people like this put a bad face on giving to charity.

Re: What's your take on this?

I have never given a homeless person money. I have gone into a deli and got them a sandwich. Some are grateful others would get pissed and curse me.

Re: What's your take on this?

What's your take on this?

I would probably give a dollar or two, I figure if they are out there they must really need, sure maybe I am getting scammed but hopefully the money would go to feeding the family.

Re: What's your take on this?

Honestly the situtation is sad.

But would I give? If I had the cash and the inclination sure. What difference is it how they look? Times are plain out sh!tty. Good people are without jobs. They apply at workforce and have to wait. Wait and wait. What can they do. They've applied everywhere, anywhere, but they still have mouths to feed. If I were in that place I would NOT be too proud to stand and ask for help.

Ironically more people may give to those who look poorer, but it seems unfair to me. To look that clean and still be begging has to take such a toll. Heck if they are TRYING to stay good in appearances, chances are they are at least TRYING to find a job vs the guy who smells like piss, unshaven, with holes in his dirty stained shirt. That other man I know I'm paying for food, or a bottle of wine, drugs. The guy who's cleaned up, the same is true, food, beer or drugs.

You can only hope for the best, pray you never have to walk a step in their shoes.

So Yes, I'd give if I had a buck on me and felt giving. If I had my last dollar on me, probably not, but the spare change, probably.

I give to Fire department guys hanging out with fire boots, the man who smiles EVERY DAY and waves at me with his sign and his water bottle probably gets a buck from me every 4 weeks or so, the lady who wanders the divider looking pathetic gets only my pity.

I consider it my duty to life and karma. To give when you can, what you can. When you find yourself in need, you may find that deed is returned by the oddest of people. Some say its the christian thing to do and maybe it is the old fashioned biblical learning i had. To be community service to give and help when you can, however you can. I don't know.

But a dollar won't kill me. I dont stop to think what they'll do with it. It makes no difference to the deed I've committed. I give freely and do so with no strings or obligations. what will be will be after that.

JMHO

Message edited 8/13/2012 6:17:06 PM.

Re: What's your take on this?

What's your take on this?

I'm a softy with these things so I probably would give something.

Re: What's your take on this?

This sounds just like a family my husband and I have seen at the Target in Setauket and the King Kullen in Selden. The guy has his wife and 3 little kids (one is a baby) and he has his sign that he has kids and no food or shelter, or something like that. But I saw a minivan next to them at the King Kullen - the wife was getting something out of it. So they have a car at least.... I think it's a scam.

Re: What's your take on this?

Re: What's your take on this?

I see them all the time at Target in Bay Shore and Target in Commack...

Re: What's your take on this?

I haven't even read the entire thread, but I saw a family doing this at Walmart in East Setauket a couple of hours ago. I thought it was odd, and also thought it was pretty disgusting he had his kid and wife standing there with him. Very leery, and I personally wouldn't give money.

Re: What's your take on this?

Message edited 8/13/2012 7:52:57 PM.

Re: What's your take on this?

I haven't seen it yet, sounds like it's become quite a successful scam and multiple people are using it. I doubt everyone is seeing the same people but they seem to know what they are doing - show up with a "family" where families shop, with rosary beads outside a church. Let me know when someone spots a guy with two dogs outside a Petsmart.

There are plenty of programs to help those in need, especially children. Food banks, WIC, food stamps, Healthy NY, Medicaid...the list goes on.

I do donate to charities of my choosing. All of which help people with dire needs in this country get food, and medical services.

Re: What's your take on this?

I am a firm believer in karma. I would have gave $10 or bought some food for them. If it's legit, then I helped a family who needs it. If it's not legit, then I'm only out $10 and they'll get theirs.

Re: What's your take on this?

Sorry double post

Message edited 8/13/2012 8:42:49 PM.

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw a very similar family today in Centereach by the Walmart. It made me sad but we didn't stop. The person I was with said she'd like to give them food more so than money.

Re: What's your take on this?

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw them in the Trader Joe's parking lot in Lake Grove. Seems like they travel all over.

Re: What's your take on this?

i saw exactly what you described in wantagh. i am now thinking it was a scam. i wanted to buy them diapers or something from the supermarket but i would not have given them $.

Re: What's your take on this?

Re: What's your take on this?

Honestly, we live in a scary world. In this day and age I'd be leery to go up to any stranger and make conversation of any kind. Safety first for me!

Re: What's your take on this?

I saw a family at the Sears/Barnes N Noble parking lot across from Stop n Shop in Commack last week.
I didn't stop, I was driving.

Re: What's your take on this?

It's like robbery if it's a scam. The parents are preying on the kindness of people. Sad and scary.

There was a teenage girl who used to panhandle at an ATM when I lived in NYC. Turns out she was on the news - she had money, a very decent apt. in the city - her mom would have her beg for money b/c she was sick in the head. I never forgot that.
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To make it about me, a man approached me on a biz trip to OKC. I was coming from Ruby Tuesday in a congested area right across from my hotel & a man with a sign came right up to me asking me for $ for a hotel room, showed me his id and asked me if I liked black people (WTF) and I said I can't help him and jumped in the car while he was screaming at me. Turns out he's there everyday. The hotel manager knew him.

Message edited 8/13/2012 11:03:35 PM.

Re: What's your take on this?

I went to commack bru last wed. N saw the family sitting on the grass. The sign said I have 2 kids, lost my job..couldn't finish reading the cardboard sign..it was a small sign. He had very dark hair, tall, sandals and shorts, dressed well with 2 kids and his wife. One kid was in a car seat..I didn't see anyone stop.