But the guy that really ticked me off is the older Black man sitting on the Smithfield Street Bridge. In the warmer months he sits there and begs with a ball cap. He has built a relationship with a lot of people who cross the bridge on their daily commutes to work. I don’t walk the bridge often, but when I do, I make it a point not to stop and open my purse or wallet for anyone. I believe the people that are asking for money can read the look on your face and they know if you are an easy mark.
My thoughts are often how these people got to this low point in their life and are they really homeless? What disturbed me about the man on the bridge was that I saw him at the lottery vending machine buying lottery tickets. These people always say they are begging for food, but if you give them food they might throw it aside when you aren’t looking. This is not an attack on the homeless, just a word to the wise to beware who you make “donations” to. I stick with the groups that I can see visible results.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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