Aggressive homeless people are on the rise here.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (28969)
February 22, 2023 9:45pm CST
They have a new trick.
They now hide behind something, another car, whatever. When they see you getting in your car, they start knocking on the driver's door window. They want you to open it, and some people actually have, thinking it was someone needing help, or whatever. They often grab the person by the neck or hair, and demand money. Or they hit the person in the face. Of course, police are called, but most often they get away.
I had my window knocked on yesterday. Big tough looking lady looking at me. It was daylight, I was in a good neighborhood, at a big clinic. I didn't open the window, she started yelling at me. I had just hopped in the car, barely got it locked before she knocked. I took off so fast, I may have run over her foot, but I honestly don't care. I have had enough. I did report her after I got out of there. They had several complaints on her and were trying to find her. Hope they do.
One of our so-called homeless people attacked a lady not long ago who came out of a grocery.store, he was arrested. Screaming he was homeless, and guess what, he isn't. He owns a nice home and has a good car. He had nearly $3,000 in a backpack when he was arrested, and 3 I Phones, 2 of which had been reported as stolen.
Yes, I have compassion for those who are truly homeless and are trying. But it is too hard to sort, and so many of them are scary. We have many shelters and food stations, and so forth, they won't go because drugs are not allowed in there. Very frustrating.
One policeman I know here said this window knocking is catching on in many cities. So if someone knocks on your window, hit the gas and peel out of there! Be safe!
17 people like this
13 responses
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
23 Feb 23
I won't bother trying to help them anymore... The last one I tried to help started screaming obscenities at me... I called the police and reported him.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
Had a big scare a few years back. I was in Barnes and Noble, browsing and having a coffee. My son was visiting, and we had taken my car. He went to Bed, Bath and Beyond to pick up something his wife had asked him to get, and then we were going home. I decided to go out to the car to wait for him, I texted him and he said, OK, he would be there very shortly. So, I went. As I was getting into the car, our most notorious beggar appeared out of nowhere, demanding money. I told him, sorry, I have no cash. He proceeded to walk around to the passenger door (which was locked, thank you Lord!) and said, fine, drive to the ATM and get me some cash!! He reached for the door handle and my son was right behind him.
Son said, touch that door handle and I promise you will lose your hand. Well, this son is a big man who is a total sweetheart to everyone, but he loomed over that guy and the guy backed up, screamed his obscenities, and we got in and locked the doors. He found a few rocks to throw at the car, we called the police and he got arrested. Scared me a lot. It wasn't even dark outside. But this particular beggar/panhandler, has a long, long record going back 30 years of being aggressive and threatening to people. He is in and out of jail constantly. Banned from many businesses and from our college campus.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
23 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle I feel mean but know that a lot of the beggars in the big cities around us aren't homeless. I followed one guy after watching him beg money from people and saw him get into a new, expensive car. I just won't give them anything anymore.
2 people like this
@sallypup (58089)
• Centralia, Washington
23 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle That makes the hair raise on your hand.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
My son said one time, hey mom--remember when we were teenagers, and we were positive you had eyes in the back of your head, because you always seemed to know what we were up to? You need to find those extra eyes again, and put them to use. I am a lot more careful than I used to be. I feel it's just something I have to do, to try to stay safe.
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
23 Feb 23
You were fortunate that you didn't become another victim. These days when unemployment and inflation are increasing people are finding such jobs easy to earn. Hope the police take some quick action there and put such people in the prison soon.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
Our problem in the US in many cities is that we do not have enough police. They have raised pay, added more amenities, etc. but it's like teachers--just not nearly enough.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95646)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Feb 23
I don't stop to help as you can't trust anyone
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
I'm done with them, and have been for awhile. It's just not worth the risk. I worked for what I have. There are a lot of jobs out there.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
Yes, this particular grouping of stores is in a big strip mall, next to 2 interstates. It gets its share of these type of people. This is a nice city, but we surely have more than our share of scary people!
2 people like this
@Kouponkaren (5495)
• United States
23 Feb 23
Oh gosh that is really scary. I am so sorry you have to deal with that. We live out in the country and don't have any of that around us. I am thankful for that.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
I think the violence can basically be anywhere and everywhere. There are even shootings now in small towns and churches. Is any place truly safe?
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130091)
• India
23 Feb 23
The number has increased I am sure after the pandemic Even respectable people are in that state now I do not know why people should open the car for them. They should take a photo and report to the police. The police should give them shelter and take care of their aneeds.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130091)
• India
23 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle Not the police but those in power - you are right.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130091)
• India
23 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle These kind of people enjoy their freedom even though those shelters provide the basic necessities.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
I don't know how the police work in India, but here in the US, the police basically do law and order, that's it. They do not provide shelter unless the person that is arrested is put in the jail. They get meals in the jail, but I have heard they are not very good.
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
24 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle true. they are full of hatred against other people who did not do anything to them
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
Some of these people are so aggressive, it truly is scary to see. They hate everyone. They want your money and if you get hurt, too bad.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
I worry some if our world continues in it's downward spiral, there may be even more homeless people. It's nice that you don't have any, According to our news and to others, they seem to like cities best for their needs, but they do live in small towns as well.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129531)
• Israel
23 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle
You did the right thing by locking the door and then getting out of there fast. That is so terrible that they are aggressive and hurt people. I hate the ones that make it bad for those that are truly homeless and really do not want to bother anyone. I hope they catch her too.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129531)
• Israel
24 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle
I guess you just have to know who they are and help them as best you can. Here we have many begging for money that I do not know who they are or if they really need the help.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
I thought I ran over her foot, but I didn't. I am not messing with these people, they cannot be helped when they act like this. Yes, there are some who are truly in need and are really homeless. But how do you sort them out?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
24 Feb 23
@Hannihar
I can't, I'm just done. I donate to several organizations, it is all I feel I can manage at this time.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157041)
• United States
23 Feb 23
You can't be too careful these days.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
24 Feb 23
We can only try. Nothing is truly safe, never has been, but now it's way worse than ever.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
24 Feb 23
We all need to watch out for ourselves and our loved ones.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85548)
• Bangalore, India
23 Feb 23
We live in scary times. Sometimes being kind can cost you your life too. Better to stay heartless to save your life.
You did the right thing. Glad that you are safe.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85548)
• Bangalore, India
28 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle Oh! I didn't mean to call you heartless..I meant to say that it's good to pretend to be one when you have to stay safe. And personal safety is most important.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85548)
• Bangalore, India
28 Feb 23
@MarieCoyle Hmm... it's not about their situation, it's their intention that is more unfortunate.
@MarieCoyle (28969)
•
23 Feb 23
It is hard sometimes if a person is appearing to be hungry. But as I said, there are many options for meals here, we have several places they can get at least one hot meal per day if not more.
Thank you.
1 person likes this
