It IS illegal to panhandle in Texas

I didn't think begging was such a stable source of income. Here in Nyc everyone ignores the beggars so it came as a bit of a shock to me.

You can really see the shock on your profile pictures face Russianfox

That was all fairly believable, except the part where you are a cop AND work 4 other jobs.

It could be just odd jobs one or two days a week. Not implausible.

I do not respect people that beg for money when they do not need it for food and in some cases gas money (like trying to get to an interview). However, when they do, go for it. I give them the benefit of the doubt. It's very clear to me you've obviously never been homeless without anyone to call to for help. I have been in this position. No friends. A thousand miles away from my mom who basically abandoned me. Hot during the days, cold at night, no where to clean your clothes, take a shower, even using a bathroom was almost impossible. Try getting a job like that, I dare you. Most people can't get a job even under perfect conditions for their own comfort and hygienic care. No one has any empathy. No one even takes a moment to put themselves in the shoes of someone else. It's a hell of a lot easier to just think they're all drug addicted bums than to believe that they were much like you until back luck hit them and they lost their job.

Yup!! If you weren't lazy enough then you wouldn't have become a cop in the first place!!

"Most people can't get a job even under perfect conditions for their own comfort and hygienic care" Right! Where do you live where unemployment is over 50 percent?

I hope your in a better place now :) (by that I mean not homeless anymore )

Alot of cops hafta moonlight on their off duty time to make ends meet, security etc. And he or she is absolutely correct! Panhandlers around here can make alot of money ESP if they sit a kid on the ground at their feet! I felt bad for one lady I always saw in the same place until one day I was later than usual n saw her n her daughter get into a BMW n drive away!!!!

Isn't it well known you never give those guys money, you hand them a pack of crackers or two and say "hope this helps." It solves two problems: them getting beat by other hobos for a lot of food, and the fact that they may want money for alcohol or something, not food.

107, I've been homeless. My car was out of gas but I managed to park it somewhere for the three months that I had too. It wasn't so bad. Churches were willing to help with food and clothing so I could at least maintain a certain level of health during that time. It wasn't easy to find a job, but thanks to Mother Superior I worked for the church as well to make a bit of cash in the mean time.

Why would his/her dad take the bus?

Because obviously his kid doesn't have the money to drive him? Why WOULDN'T he take the bus.

62-obviously you didn't read what OP said correctly. Please try again.