Be Careful Late on 192

[inkkognito]

For anyone staying on 192 in the Old Town area, be careful at night! I'm a local, but I'm not usually running around in the wee hours of the morning. But last week I went to Ruby Tuesday with a bunch of friends, and after they closed we hung around in front for a while to talk. It was probably around 11:30 p.m., and there were two groups of us with three in each group. A scraggly man approached the first group asking for money but backed off when they said no (one of them is very large and no-nonsense looking). Then he approached our group, which was much less intimidating (I'm 5'2" and my friend is barely 5") and started bugging us for money. Suddenly he said, "You don't have to mace me. I'll go." I realized that I was unconsciously playing with the pepper spray container on my keychain. Thank goodness! Just the fact that he noticed it and made that comment shows that he was testing the waters and seeing how far he could push. I'm so glad I had it.

I don't mean to imply that the area is highly unsafe and dangerous, but neither is it "Disney." Be on the alert and be strong in your refusals if someone approaches you. The same thing happens pretty regularly at the Racetrak gas station down the road.

 

[GrumpyFamilyof5]

Thanks for letting us know, we'll be staying at the Royale Parc close to there. Did he really seem that scary or was he just hoping for a few bucks? Like did he appear like he needed it for food or seemed like the type that would take it and buy booze??
Most of the time my husband is with me and I don't worry to much cause he's trained to handle these kind of situations, but if someone appears like they need it to get something to eat he'll give them a couple dollars, I mean we've just spent a bunch on why we're down there so a couple more bucks to help someone won't break us!!
Now if it is someone you can clearly tell they want it to go buy booze, then no we won't help and will kindly tell them so. We refuse to help with someone's addiction.
Hope this all doesn't sound harsh...........

 

[inkkognito]

Definitely the sort who would run to the local Kwikie Mart for a bottle of beer (or possibly drugs). It's an ongoing thing in this area; at the Race Trak, they approach with a sob story about running out of gas, but the locals know it's the same people every day. I usually opt for the Mobile across the street.

I'll admit my husband did give someone money for alcohol once tho'. It was in Chicago; he's very jaded because he worked downtown where the panhandlers are everywhere with a sob story. But one guy had a sign: Need money for beer. Hubby tossed him a few bucks because he thought the honesty was refreshing.

 

[vellamint]

Definitely the sort who would run to the local Kwikie Mart for a bottle of beer (or possibly drugs). It's an ongoing thing in this area; at the Race Trak, they approach with a sob story about running out of gas, but the locals know it's the same people every day. I usually opt for the Mobile across the street.

I'll admit my husband did give someone money for alcohol once tho'. It was in Chicago; he's very jaded because he worked downtown where the panhandlers are everywhere with a sob story. But one guy had a sign: Need money for beer. Hubby tossed him a few bucks because he thought the honesty was refreshing.

I had this pulled on my by my local Home Depot....didnt realize it was a "known" scam...thanks for that

On another note....when we stayed in Kissimmee in 2006 (Venetian Bay Village) I was VERY nervous one night when I pulled up to a gas station near the condos for a pack of cigarettes (yeah I know .. I FINALLY quit thank you Chantix). I would not only NOT get out of the car because of the men hanging out but I would NOT have left my 11 year old daugher locked in the car if I DID get out.....

Also stopped at a pizzaria at dinner one night to get take out and since it seemed such a waste of time to go back to the condo and then back to pick it up we sat in the parking lot.......suffice it to say that I have told my husband that I DONT CARE if the condo was basically free - I am never staying there again... NOT my idea of vacation area..at all.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

On two different trips driving to Disney from NJ, I been approached at I95 rest stops by people with sob stories for money. In NC, a woman ran right up to me as I opened the door of my car (she was watching me pull up, waiting for her next victim) and tried to panhandle me right there. I said no and got out of there as fast as I could, gave me the creeps.

I also was approached by a woman who followed me to my car at a rest stop in Virginia, banged on my window and indicated she wanted me to open the door, and then tried to beg for money. I said NO and got the heck out of there!

This is happening more and more, it seems. I started taking the train instead of these long drives now. I'll be staying off 192 on my next trip, too!

 

[carri5317]

We also get hit at the rest stops along I95, every time we stop there (we like to pack a pinic lunch w/the kids) someone always tells us a sob story about something.

One time a man said his car broke down and needed $ for a repair man, but by the time we were finishing eating, he got in his car and.....drove off!

We are very careful now when we stop. The kids still love it, but we always say NO now.

 

[donaldduck352]

I see this almost everyday in Wildwood(exit off I-75 in central Florida)Panhandlers are trying anything to get money from YA.The only reason I stop there (truck stop)they have A popeyes Chicken there.Thank goodness the sherriff dept is around in numbers.Along with Hwy Patrol. If it was not for the sight of law around,I can see were things could get bad.::cop:
Florida is safe.But always use caution when traveling...
The only thing I donn't like is the smaller lights on top of there cars now!!The big lights is a detterent!!

 

[Brian Noble]

You see this sort of thing in nearly any metropolitan area, or any major tourist destination. It's a good reminder to keep your wits about you when traveling!

If the economy continues to suffer, expect such instances to increase.

 

[spiceycat]

boy only been asked once or twice - in all my years going to WDW.

learned in my younger days HERE don't give to people who beg or even worst demand it.

that only encourages them to ask others.

so say I am broke too - which generally am Disney takes a lot of my money. Some of the demanders don't even answer just look at them - really well and they will generally walk away. they don't want to be identified.

of course now that I think of it - in most rest stops get as close as possible to their security. that might be while I am not often approached. Always avoid dangerous areas. never even stopped at any Race Trak gas station.

 

[inkkognito]

never even stopped at any Race Trak gas station.

The "creepy" Racetrak is on 192 across from the entrance to Celebration. There is a Mobil on the other side of the streeet (Celebration side) that might be a penny or two more, although often they match the Race Trak price, but even if it's a bit more it's worth if because they don't see to have the same panhandling problem. They also have the BEST flavored coffees!