Anyone whats up with the massive influx of hitchikers/panhandlers?

**Marc936** · 07-22-2010, 06:52 PM

i'm driving down 30 and for the past 2 days i seen 4 people trying to hitch hike (never the same person) and on a couple of exits i seen panhandlers with signs saying they're homeless/there car brokedown/ they lost there job/etc. i thought it was illegal in iowa to pick up hitchhikers and i've never seen so many panhandlers at once here before, what gives?

**SeattleClone** · 07-22-2010, 06:58 PM

Maybe they've all gotten frustrated with the increased competition in their hometown?

$375 collected in Iowa City panhandling meters | desmoinesregister.com | The Des Moines Register

**dmclone** · 07-22-2010, 07:32 PM

I've noticed a lot more hitchers lately. Must be the economy.

**CloneIce** · 07-22-2010, 07:33 PM

Times are tough. Weather is warm. Great time to hitchhike across country.

**jj-cyclones** · 07-22-2010, 07:40 PM

Its the weather... I have noticed it as well!

It is crazy to think that people actually pick these people us????!!!!!

**fnclone** · 07-22-2010, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Marc936

i'm driving down 30 and for the past 2 days i seen 4 people trying to hitch hike (never the same person) and on a couple of exits i seen panhandlers with signs saying they're homeless/there car brokedown/ they lost there job/etc. i thought it was illegal in iowa to pick up hitchhikers and i've never seen so many panhandlers at once here before, what gives?

Welcome to Council Bluffs.

**terryk** · 07-22-2010, 08:02 PM

graduation in iasheety last week

**thatguy** · 07-22-2010, 08:05 PM

move to Denver, with everything that is awesome here, it seems most of those panhandlers make it to the Rockies and say f-it and set up camp. Homeless guy asked me for 10 bucks the other day, i was like "for real?"
Reminds me of the South Park with the change.

**ISUAgronomist** · 07-22-2010, 08:10 PM

Just something to think about:

Panhandlers making $110,000 per year in Edmonton, Canada

**CycloneDaddy** · 07-22-2010, 08:53 PM

I will never give change to a homeless person again after my last incident in Des Moines. Gave the guy $2 and he ******* at me. Said I was going to take it back and he kept complaining saying he couldn't eat on $2. Finally he turned and walked away but he ******* and moan the whole way.

**bringmagicback** · 07-22-2010, 09:01 PM

I've noticed that there isnt as many downtown DSM anymore.....Maybe theyve migrated. Use to be you couldnt walk 5 ft w/out one of them yelling and screaming about not giving them money. I once had a guy wearing a brand new ISU coat come in and sit down w/ us at Legends, took 15 minutes for them to throw him out.

**hawkeyeh8r** · 07-22-2010, 09:59 PM

there used to be a group that used to have 3 or 4 areas of town where they would rotate. one was over by johnston just off of the merle hay exit. ive heard they made at least 1k-2k a week. i think tougher laws forced them to move from there normal spots so they have just found new areas that dont enforce their laws as strictly

**cybsball20** · 07-22-2010, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by isuaggie

Just something to think about:

Panhandlers making $110,000 per year in Edmonton, Canada

I remember seeing a story about a guy making about $70k a year panhandling in florida. He would wake up in his decent house, purposely get all nasty, drive to his destination and stand on a street corner... crazy

**Marc936** · 07-22-2010, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I remember seeing a story about a guy making about $70k a year panhandling in florida. He would wake up in his decent house, purposely get all nasty, drive to his destination and stand on a street corner... crazy

^^ thats what a lot of panhandlers do, or are alcoholics, either way, i normally tell them to f off.

if a guy can panhandle, a guy can work