Panhandling as prelude to a robbery?

[zmgmeister.livejournal.com]

OK, with the current discussion about crime I want to ask an opinion of the group. If you have a couple of youths ask you on the street for money, and they don't look homeless, is it a good idea to call the cops on them as "suspicious persons" or is it just me being suspicious?

Comments

The "bus to Worcester"

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

I got taken by that once... in Chicago. He wasn't going to Worcester though - I don't recall - maybe Oak Grove. He hit me up while I was in my car waiting for a light. Said he was a teacher stranded on a class trip, shined some teacher ID, was wearing a suit coat and tie. I gave him some $$ and then as I was pulling away I noticed that along with his suit, he was wearing high tops or some such footgear. Doh!

I don't give to pan handlers much any more - esp. the ones who seem to line the traffic stops (Alewife/Mass Ave etc). Maybe it's way non-PC of me but my thought typically is: why don't you get a JOB? But maybe it pays better than any job they could get? There is a woman who is often over on Comm Ave by the BU bridge hitting the traffic and looking abject. I haven't spoken with her so I have no idea what the deal is.