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Forced To Panhandle - Help?

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Started 2 years ago by JonMyers
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JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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There is a guy I've seen panhandling on High in the Short North every day for the past 5 months. The guy works longer shifts than most of us. A good 14 hours a day. I'll call him Bill.

Every 3 - 4 hours, another guy appears and takes Bill's earnings. I watch it go down just about every day. I've also observed the guy collecting use implied physical threats against Bill. After the guy collects the money he usually goes to a pay phone and makes a call. He then gets in this junky car and leaves.

Bill clearly seems to be suffering from a mental impairment. He doesn't appear to be a drug or alcohol abuser. What's clear is this other man collecting the money is forcing Bill to panhandle.

Are there any social service organizations I can contact who can get this guy help?

Additionally, the guy forcing Bill to panhandle is engaged in what might be a criminal activity. Who and how I would alert the proper authorities?

Posted 2 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Who is the community liason with CPD for the SN? That might be a start. You might contact some of the area churches that do work with the homeless, Faith Mission and others who may know him and can give better insight.

Posted 2 years ago #
sugarplumclarey

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Wouldn't hurt to jot down the license plate of the cash collector; perhaps it would give the authorities something to start with if you decide to contact them. I'd call the police, but that's because I don't know who else could handle such a situation.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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Thanks... I appreciate the feedback. It took a while for everything to click with me regarding what's going on. I'm going to get on it. The whole thing makes me sick.

Posted 2 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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I'd also +1 checking with the CPD liason for the Short North. The folks at Netcare might also have some suggestions for you. Here's a link to their site. They do have a 24/7 crisis line, and I know they did at one time have a mobile outreach van of some sort.
http://www.netcareaccess.org

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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I would call the CPD especially if you see that in action. It does not matter if the man is collecting money. I believe it is still his at that moment. Theft is theft
If you it see it report it as a mugging on the street. Give them the description and if they catch him he would most likely be charged with a crime. If the cops want to be real mean they will charge him with robbery. I have seen it happen.

But I would also make a report of the incident. It's just terrible about that fellow. I hope it can be stopped.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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@mk - Good call. I think the first step is to remove the source of the force. Otherwise any social outreach actually might make things even worse for this guy. For all I know the guy forcing him may be a family member.

@osu - thanks for the link.

Posted 2 years ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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JonMyers your concern for "Bill" is heartwarming. I'm rolling this situation around in my brain and I wonder what his connection is to "the guy."

Do you think he is in any way responsible for "Bill's" care? And if he is, how would that affect "Bill" if he is arrested? Will it make his life better or worse?

I'm not being critical of your intentions, I'm just wondering if this is in his best interest not knowing his life situation.

His life as it now sounds miserable and I can see why you are concerned. Have you ever tried to talk to him about this arrangement or asked him why he was there day after day?

You're an intuitive guy and I'm sure you will follow your heart as well.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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@patient_zero - you're right I'm acting on zero information and total observation, which is why I'm vetting on here before or if I do anything. I value the feedback on CU.

I'm not sure how it may impact Bill though to answer your question. The guy may be a caregiver, criminal forcing him or a random meth head who is preying on a person with a mental impairment and simply stealing from him.

I have tried to talk to him. Bill isn't really capable of intelligible conversation and seems scared shitless.
Should I do anything at all or just leave the whole thing alone? I'm the type of person that goes crazy just sitting back and feel compelled to do something.

Posted 2 years ago #
racheltb
clintonville
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If it were me, I would call CPD. It appears that Bill doesn't have a great life now and CPD just might be able to help. It would ease my conscience to know that I had acted in some way.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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@Rach - he really doesn't. I see him get off a North bound bus usually a little before 9AM carrying a plastic sack with snacks and bottled water (I'm a creature of habit and am on my 2nd round of coffee then). He then gets on a South bound bus somewhere around 10 - 11PM.

Then to top it all off he's working all that time and not getting a dime of it.

Posted 2 years ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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JonMyers wrote >>
Should I do anything at all or just leave the whole thing alone? I'm the type of person that goes crazy just sitting back and feel compelled to do something.

It's apparent that this bothers you, as I'm sure it would bother me seeing this day to day. I've approached people before that were in "odd" situations and chatted with them. Sometimes I can help, other times I can't. But at the end of the day I know I tried to make a difference in that person's life.

After you've had a conversation, or several conversations with "Bill", you'll have a better idea if you can help. Maybe Netcare or the Police can play an integral role but I'd start with a simple "Hello" and "Hey, Ive seen you out here a lot, how can you stand there that long every day?"

If you involve Netcare it will take a lot of effort on your part if you really want to help. And who knows, he may already receive some of their care.
Just see where the conversation goes Jon.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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See that is the worst part. No person should ever let someone just take and if he can't defend himself that is what the law is for everyone is entitled for safety no matter your mental standing. It's just horrible to even know that it's happening,I can't imagine seeing it. If I was bigger and had nothing to worry about in life.I would come down there and kick that guys ass.
If this is a relative or caretaker of Bill's coming to get the money wouldn't that be Slave Labor.You just can't treat another human being like that.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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@MK - On one occasion in particular it took every single drop of my will not to stop and knock this guy's block off.

I was slow rolling on my bike on the sidewalk (I was 500 ft. from my apartment). I could see ahead that the collections guy had his hand on Bill's arm, pulling him in and taking the money while Bill look freaked out as usual. As I went by I got my bike as close to the situation as possible made direct eye contact at the transaction going down and direct eye contact with the criminal with a yes you're being watched look.

I stopped and turned around and saw the guy get into this car that was parked right by where he took Bill's money. Bill bolted down the street and caught his bus.

Posted 2 years ago #
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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Regardless of whether or not the collector might be responsible for Bill's care, it's clearly an abusive situation. Family members sometimes do exploit mentally handicapped relatives.

What a horrible, horrible situation. I can't give much more advice on what to do other than what others have already said. I really, really hope someone helps this fellow.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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I'm going to call the CPD community liaison today. Thanks. I wasn't even aware that the job existed.

Posted 2 years ago #
surber17

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I'm def. interested to hear what the police say.

Posted 2 years ago #
JedThorp
Merion Village
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Jon - where do you typically see "Bill" in the SN? (I live in the neighborhood too, and try to keep an eye on things.) Can you provide a general description of Bill so I can keep an eye out as well? As you know, there are several regular panhandlers in the neighborhood, so I'm not sure to whom you're referring (although I have a guess.)

Posted 2 years ago #
aaminian
Short North
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@Jon- Is "Bill" the guy who's always hanging out in front of the parking lot between Marcella's and Burgundy room? If so, I see this guy ALL the time and you're right- he does put in more hours than any full time employee I've ever met. I had no idea that this kind of thing was going on. I'm glad to hear that somebody's noticed and is taking action. Let us know how it turns out.

Posted 2 years ago #
catnfiddle
Giant Corncob District
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Keep us in the loop if you can. This just breaks my heart.

Posted 2 years ago #