Give me your money....
Every eveing upon my return to Clay County, I exit off 2-95 South on Blanding. Over the past few weeks there has been a gentleman (to put it nicely) standing at the red light with a 'Give me your money sign'. Granted, this person may be down on his luck, but he looks to have decent tennis shoes, decent blue jeans and shirt and jacket. I really dont mind if someone stands out on the street asking for money, but at what point does it become a hazard. Im not sure what the law is about loitering on a highway exit, but it seems that JSO should make these folks move one. I say JSO because I notice these people on the exits of Blanding and 17 targeting Clay residents. Any thoughts?
Submitted by lilyslore on Tue, 01/22/2008 - 12:32pm.
There was a story by one of the local news shows a couple of years ago. One couple interviewed were very proud of their begging prowess and seem to make a pretty good living at it. In this country it is pretty much disdained but begging as a profession is not uncommon in other places around the world. One thing I have noticed is that these "Will Work For Food" folk seem to be very well organized. There are now several variations on this theme. Some claim to be homeless veterans, some need a "helping hand", others will "work for food". You would be surprised at how few if any will work for food. You would also be surprised at how many of these so called "homeless" people have such a wide and clean collection of clothing. They just want money. Unfortunately in our lunatic society, this kind of lazy bum is protected by a flawed interpretation of the free speech amendment. Until any of these clowns actually assaults or batters someone they will continue to be an eyesore on the landscape. Lily's Lore "I don't ever want to be rescued And I don't ever want to be saved I got a feelin' that I'm gonna be alive forever Dancin' on the edge of a grave..." Jim Steinman
Submitted by Magnumforce on Tue, 01/22/2008 - 10:05pm.
Here is the state law link. Here is the Clay County ordinance. http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=10559&sid=9
Submitted by OneMann on Wed, 01/23/2008 - 7:50am.
Munsey, if memory serves, that is the same off-ramp (with a multi-million dollar facelift) where a murder occurred in a fight over territorial begging rights. Way back then, it would often lead to more than two hundred dollars a day. At the time, my friends and I joked that we were going to make some signs, sit down at the off-ramp and increase our retirement portfolios. Unfortunately, it is across the county line, which leaves enforcement up to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office or the Highway Patrol. I'm sure either would respond when called, if possible, to the situation you cited about a beggar actually in traffic lanes. Someone who does that might actually need help and protection from themselves. Michael S. Mann
Submitted by DanNolan on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 8:58pm.
My father has been a LEO here in Clay for 23 years. He arrested a guy up on 295 and 17 a few years back that was actually walking up to cars and knocking on the window. THAT is illegal in itself. Many women called the SO and complained, the guy got locked up. After a minimal background check and investigation, my dad learned that the "poor old man" had just over $120,000.00 in the bank. He was a smarta$$ and made bail.
And of course, back on the street the next day!
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It could be someone down on their luck, it could also be someone who just makes their living this way and sometimes they make a good living. The only individuals on the street I give money to or should I say used to were the street performers in St Augustine.
At that particular exit with the whole cops crossing borders thing you would think all Law Enforcement would run them off, and perhaps they do we just never see it.
Perhaps one of the Law Enforcement Bloggers will see your question and answer it for all of us.