Homelessness in PR

Sitka wrote:

Some of the beggars try to up their game by using a spray bottle & rag to clean your windshield while stopped at the light, then ask for a buck.  In PR, at least some of the pan handlers sell cold water to the cars at the stop lights (I thought that was a smart approach as most drivers are hot and need a drink ). 

Anyway, it is a sad reflection of our social condition that some must resort to this as a way of life.

Hi Sitka....Yes you are right about the people that try and wash your windows at the Stoplight they are usually Junkies or Homeless possibly. But the people selling water at the Stoplights are normally just regular people trying to make some money. Also people sell other goods at the lights such as Fruits and Vegetables etc. Its just something that people do here. I know I sure appreciate it on a really hot day!

They also sell candy, alcapurias, and code fish fritters, just people trying to make a living.

yes, that's kinda my point.  The panhandler scale ranges from beggar & junkie, or 'homeless vet'  simply asking for free money (I like to offer a sandwich instead of cash - it's harder to spend the sandwich on wine) on one end, to the other end of the scale which is more a vendor type at the curbside (you should see the Mexican vendors on the Mexico side of the border selling junk to cars lined up to enter the US at the Nogales customs station.) 

So, some people are trying to earn a living at selling stuff, those guys I don't begrudge the opportunity, as long as they don't block the road and sometimes I buy a cold drink! 

The other guys I have little sympathy for.   

I'm in Vega Baja PR moved here in November

The informed social service agencies say the best approach is NOT to give any money, because then you are enabling their substance abuse habits.  Many recovered people say that the dollar that you give might be the dollar that pushes them over the edge into overdosing.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/arc … ople/72820http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nick-holt … 62975.html

If I was in that position, I would take as many sandwiches as I could and sell them later to make the money to get my drugs or alcohol.

Some need something to eat, some need money to get clothes and pay their bill, and some that are addicted to something don't care what they get, they will turn it into the substance that ails them the most and overdose anyway.

Check their eyes and breath, are they trying to survive or fly high?

Agreed