Forget gangs and drugs, you need to be worried about panhandling

[Smilo]

3. I used to give to panhandlers

and sometimes I still do if the mood strikes me.

What blew it for me is I would see the same faces - with slightly different signs over and over - the ones saying they needed gas money, food, etc. And then one day I was approached by a couple asking for bus fare back to their motel which was on the other side of town - I literally scraped my purse and came up with $2.17 (I remember the amount) - I apologized and said I wish I had more but this is all I have and you are welcome to it - the man took the money and then started swearing at me and said I was the most @#@## P.o.s. he had come across and how could they get across town on that - the woman looked at me and wished me a nice trip to hell.

After that, I am very careful and most times just give to my local shelters and the charities that care for the homeless.

Yes, there are genuine cases out there, but once bitten twice shy.