can we do more (Homelessness and street begging)

Name: tony clark

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Product:	Homelessness and street begging
Date:	08/06/07 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: positive answers to major problem in our country

Disadvantages: we need to work at it

I would like to be able to tell the difference between a genuine person that has given up the burdon off responsibility and the chancers that take us for mugs, both sets of people begging in the street. Relying on the majority of us throwing them a couple of pounds without even taking the time to say hello to them. Forget the chancers for a moment. For what ever reason any person has to resort to begging, in Britain anyway there are all sorts of agencies to help with housing , benefit and support. Dropping out of society is a very sad route that may seem to be the only way out of the pressure of paying bills ,keeping a house and raring a family. A victim of abuse , uneducated or alcoholic, mentally ill or whatever the reason this route is taken , these people need more than a couple of pounds, that only keeps them in their new life style. sadness etched in their faces tell me if they had a choice they wouldn't be in the position they find themself.
Rather than allow the begging which I think is actually illegal in Britain , I would happily donate to a fund that could be distributed by the local authorities. A task force could be set up to have a gentle approach, talking to and finding out the circumstances these unfortunate people find themselves. They could be taken to the relevent agencies and set up in a home off their own with our donations used to support them while they get back on their feet. Once it is established who the genuine cases are and they are supported , we should have a zero tolerance approach to begging. This way the chancers are wiped out as well.
Tourists to our country could also be told of the scheme by a leaflet made available in their own language with the opportunity to donate their loose change at the airport on the way home. I would certainly prefere not to be 'targeted' as I have been in the past by beggers in foreign countries if they had something like this in place.

Summary: a basic idea to work on for the good of anyone that wants the support we can offer