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ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
I had to run out to pick up something for work in Massapequa and went into the Sunrise Promenade where Pier 1 and Barnes & Noble is. I saw the gypsies right on the corner of Sunrise with their kids legs practically hanging out in traffic.
It made me so angry, I called the precinct as has been suggested on here numerous times.
The officer I spoke to said they've been getting calls all day long----that people are finally onto them. They are a group of gypsies who live in Elmhurst and are dropped off and picked up every day in busy areas.
He said unfortunately there's not a damn thing the police can do about it.
Really?
Being the person I am, on my way out, I rolled up to them. Only the guy came over to my car. He said hello. I said to him I knew exactly what he was doing and as a man he should be totally ashamed of himself putting those kids in harms way like that. At that point he pretended he didn't understand me and walked back over to the woman indicating I was cuckoo.
I know some of you let this roll of your shoulders, but as a mom, it just totally upsets me.
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Posted 8/11/13 4:32 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Teachergal
We made a snowman!
Member since 1/08 3239 total posts
Name:
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Good for you for saying something and trying to call the police. It is such a shame that nothing can be done. Someone should stand next to them with a sign that says, "Don't support the scam artists!" Those poor poor children. 
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| Posted 8/11/13 5:15 PM |
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by Teachergal
Good for you for saying something and trying to call the police. It is such a shame that nothing can be done. Someone should stand next to them with a sign that says, "Don't support the scam artists!" Those poor poor children.
I googled and while there's not anything super recent, there's a couple of articles on the Patch about it. One links up several threads on LIF about them.
I also posted on my FB page which will hopefully bring some awareness, as well.
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| Posted 8/11/13 5:18 PM |
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MrsM84
LIF Adult
Member since 2/13 2352 total posts
Name:
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ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
I am totally unaware of whats going on -- what's the scam the Gypsies are using?
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| Posted 8/11/13 5:48 PM |
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luvbuffet
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 6470 total posts
Name:
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
There's one girl and an infant at the 42nd st station where the 7train is. She has never repeated the same Victoria's Secret sweats twice in the past yr. baller
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| Posted 8/11/13 6:12 PM |
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by MrsM84
I am totally unaware of whats going on -- what's the scam the Gypsies are using?
Basically they set up at various shopping centers all across LI.
Many people have reported seeing the same "parents" with different kids at another shopping center 20 miles away. Or the same "husband" with a different "wife".
What gets people very upset is they "beg" on very busy roads, at the edge.
Like today, they were at the corner of the entrance to the shopping center, with the kids basically touching Sunrise Highway in Massapequa.
They also will sit out in the hot sun on a 90 degree day with little kids and babies with no shelter.
Many people have offered them goods and services only to be turned away. I believe some ladies on here bought them diapers and baby food and then saw them return them inside Target for cash.
If people talk to them about work, they act like they can't understand you.
If you google too, some people have theorized they are tied into human trafficking rings.
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| Posted 8/11/13 6:16 PM |
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lpnmj
LIF Infant
Member since 4/13 251 total posts
Name:
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ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
There was a man with 2 young kids on the side of Bed, Bath & Beyond in Bohemia the other day holding up a sign. Not sure if they are related to the gypsies.
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| Posted 8/11/13 7:14 PM |
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ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Good for you for saying something.
Except for 2 times in April, I haven't seen them in my areas I frequent.
They don't seem as rampant as last summer from what I've seen. Maybe because the word is out?
I honestly don't care if adults do it. It's the kids and babies near major traffic points and in the hot sun that kill me. Unsafe and no way for any kid to spend their days. That is worse than people being scammed, if you ask me. Few things make me have that much rage. That did it.
The thing that stuck in my head was seeing a stroller with a baby inside (real baby - I got close and looked) who was literally on the edge of the curb of a high traffic area. I don't care what anyone thinks - that's endangerment to have your kid in that spot all day, IMO. It's one thing if you're about to cross the street. It's another to park a stroller there for most of the day.
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| Posted 8/11/13 7:36 PM |
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Ayne11
Yep
Member since 1/09 18021 total posts
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
I Saw the same man & woman begging with a sign on Thursday, they were at Stop & Shop in Coram. then begging with different kids at Independence Plaza Friday night. People were stopping and giving them money!!!!
What a scam!
Message edited 8/11/2013 8:02:48 PM.
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| Posted 8/11/13 8:01 PM |
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by EatingMyVeggies
Good for you for saying something.
Except for 2 times in April, I haven't seen them in my areas I frequent.
They don't seem as rampant as last summer from what I've seen. Maybe because the word is out?
I honestly don't care if adults do it. It's the kids and babies near major traffic points and in the hot sun that kill me. Unsafe and no way for any kid to spend their days. That is worse than people being scammed, if you ask me. Few things make me have that much rage. That did it.
The thing that stuck in my head was seeing a stroller with a baby inside (real baby - I got close and looked) who was literally on the edge of the curb of a high traffic area. I don't care what anyone thinks - that's endangerment to have your kid in that spot all day, IMO. It's one thing if you're about to cross the street. It's another to park a stroller there for most of the day.
This is what gets me. There can be a homeless guy strung out and it would not really bother me as much. To bring kids into it is abusive to me. Having worked in social services for years, I can tell you that the people who are really that in need are not putting themselves or their kids in harms way to get help.
Also, the fact that they are willing to put a kid on a curb of a highway makes me wonder if there's someone more evil behind this, since they are willing to get money by any means possible.
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| Posted 8/11/13 8:01 PM |
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LemonHead
Sour Girl
Member since 3/08 5271 total posts
Name:
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ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
I've seen a gypsy woman standing in traffic several times on the north service road of Sunrise Hwy at the light right befote the Robert Moses Causeway.
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| Posted 8/12/13 8:14 AM |
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Jessah
I love my dogs :)
Member since 2/08 1344 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
I saw the same thing at the gateway plaza in patchogue. I basically said the same thing to the women standing there and she told me god will punish me!! LOL
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| Posted 8/12/13 12:09 PM |
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halfbaked
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 6937 total posts
Name:
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
He said unfortunately there's not a damn thing the police can do about it.
I just don't believe this. Loitering? Panhandling? Possibly endangering the welfare of a child... if they really are sitting with the kids blocking traffic... Blocking traffic for that matter!
ETA: I know that this won't do much, but it will at least force them to move to another location. Maybe if they are hassled enough they'll stop.
Message edited 8/12/2013 12:14:28 PM.
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| Posted 8/12/13 12:13 PM |
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NikkiMoon
LIF Infant
Member since 11/09 330 total posts
Name:
Nikki
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ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
I saw some in DP the other day. A man, woman and two junior high aged kids. He had a sign that they needed money to feed their kids, while he chomped away on food from McDonalds! The kids weren't eating, just him. Ridiculous
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| Posted 8/12/13 12:24 PM |
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Tulips915
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Member since 8/08 6851 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
I just don't get how there is NOTHING the police can do!??!
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| Posted 8/12/13 12:28 PM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
yes, i know its sad... i have seen this set up at target before. Two young kids and a mom and dad holding up a sign saying something like "i lost my job"
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| Posted 8/12/13 12:45 PM |
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BsMomma2014
Fly high little one
Member since 6/10 2662 total posts
Name:
nicole
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ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
They were in the Costco/Target parking lot in commack on Saturday
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| Posted 8/12/13 12:46 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
If I was the store manager, I'd have an employee out there with a sign that says "Don't give money to scam artists!"
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| Posted 8/12/13 1:48 PM |
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by halfbaked
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
He said unfortunately there's not a damn thing the police can do about it.
I just don't believe this. Loitering? Panhandling? Possibly endangering the welfare of a child... if they really are sitting with the kids blocking traffic... Blocking traffic for that matter!
ETA: I know that this won't do much, but it will at least force them to move to another location. Maybe if they are hassled enough they'll stop.
If the kids are really in danger, call CPS directly.
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| Posted 8/12/13 1:51 PM |
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Onemoretime
LIF Adult
Member since 9/12 1077 total posts
Name:
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
People need to stop giving them money. That's the only way they go away
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| Posted 8/12/13 3:01 PM |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by nrthshgrl
If I was the store manager, I'd have an employee out there with a sign that says "Don't give money to scam artists!"
Great idea!! 
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| Posted 8/12/13 3:12 PM |
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Smileyd17
kids
Member since 5/05 20997 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by JDubs
yes, i know its sad... i have seen this set up at target before. Two young kids and a mom and dad holding up a sign saying something like "i lost my job"
saw them at sunrise hwy in massapequa, by the Olive garden entrance.
One child was in stroller, the other was older and just pacing around.
its sad. very close to the traffic and to getting a child injured.
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| Posted 8/12/13 3:38 PM |
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AScottWolf
I <3 our squish!
Member since 11/10 2237 total posts
Name:
Adriana
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by BaseballWidow
Posted by halfbaked
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
He said unfortunately there's not a damn thing the police can do about it.
I just don't believe this. Loitering? Panhandling? Possibly endangering the welfare of a child... if they really are sitting with the kids blocking traffic... Blocking traffic for that matter!
ETA: I know that this won't do much, but it will at least force them to move to another location. Maybe if they are hassled enough they'll stop.
If the kids are really in danger, call CPS directly.
This is the tricky part. There are no names, numbers, addresses or identifying information to give about the kids.
Does anyone know what language they "appear" to speak?
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| Posted 8/12/13 4:33 PM |
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Ayne11
Yep
Member since 1/09 18021 total posts
Name:
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Posted by AScottWolf
Posted by BaseballWidow
Posted by halfbaked
Posted by MorningCuppaCoffee
He said unfortunately there's not a damn thing the police can do about it.
I just don't believe this. Loitering? Panhandling? Possibly endangering the welfare of a child... if they really are sitting with the kids blocking traffic... Blocking traffic for that matter!
ETA: I know that this won't do much, but it will at least force them to move to another location. Maybe if they are hassled enough they'll stop.
If the kids are really in danger, call CPS directly.
This is the tricky part. There are no names, numbers, addresses or identifying information to give about the kids.
Does anyone know what language they "appear" to speak?
They speak English pretty well when you suggest you have a job to give them. 
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| Posted 8/12/13 5:40 PM |
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Re: ARRRRGHHH!! Gypsies!!
Honestly, as a social worker who has reached out to CPS on multiple occasions with situations with clients I have worked with that need the extra support, what the hell are THEY gonna do if the cops won't show up?
And from what I recall, they have a couple of days to respond to a report. By then they will be two towns away.
ETA: I would imagine CPS would respond if you had names and addresses to send them to. Or if they were legitimately staying in a homeless shelter regularly. Since the cop who talked to me appeared to know this is some outfit coming in from Elmhurst, maybe the buck needs to stop there first.
I also think this is why it points to a much larger operation at play (i.e. human trafficking).
Message edited 8/12/2013 6:00:25 PM.
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| Posted 8/12/13 5:57 PM |
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