More panhandlers?

[LuLusApple]

I am not trying to start a panic, but gosh this past trip over the presidents holiday, it looked like more homeless and panhandlers than usual outside the maingate on Harbour. I always see one or two at the busstop. They have never in the past asked us for anything. This trip we were approached constantly. It was a little unnerving. There were also several
at both ends of the crosswalk, at different times of the day, asking for spare change with signs. I have never felt unsafe walking from hotels to the park until This last trip. Just curious if I am just now "seeing"
them or has It actually gotten worse? It's almost enough to make me rethink our Upcoming plans and stay onsite to avoid the hassle.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I haven't experienced this myself, but it doesn't surprise me that there are more people asking for money. For many, the economy is really tough right now. Those who were just barely making it, may be needin some aid now. Orange County is not a cheap place to live.

My question, however, is why did you feel unsafe? You did not state that you saw anyone stealing. Asking for money is not the same as taking from someone. Curious what made you feel unsafe. Thanks for sharing.

- Dreams

 

[LuLusApple]

I guess I felt unsafe because I do not
like to be approached or walked up on into my
personal space without expecting it. Their demeanor was more aggressive than I was used to, and when I travel alone with small children my guard is up.
While at Disneyland I do like the immersion where I can forget about the world, that is why I have been considering staying onsite. Having Poole ask for money is a snap back to reality.
Also could be I was more hypersensitive this last trip, I had 2 small childrn and my 80 year old mother. I probably felt more vulnerable
lol thanks for the therapy session I feel like I got in touch with my problem

 

[darph nader]

We've never seen any panhandlers,but a few homeless people yes. One was a little old lady who wears a heavy coat and has a rolling bag. (didn't see her in 07. ).There was one homeless guy who'd get a free coffee from the hotel I was staying at that year though,with their permission of course.

 

[darren123]

Yes notice there was a few more homeless people around but no panhandlers asking for money.

 

[Leofoenget]

What they do on Harbor blv is Anaheim's problem. However, I have noticed that Disney security doesn't shoo them away. I have been approached as far up the walkway as the security checkpoint. That bothers me. Once I hit Disney property, I need to feel safe. I don't need to be yelled at because I say NO or nothing at all which has happened. I don't want to be pestered for money while on vacation. Outside the hotels whatever it's a free country, but on Disney property, Disney needs to make them go away unless they are actual customers.

 

[darph nader]

Also depends on the 'easement' codes in Anaheim. Property lines can be from 2-50ft from curb,there-for to-wit and for-soothe,juridictions may vary.

 

[Raindown]

There is no easement panhandling.

 

[Leofoenget]

Also depends on the 'easement' codes in Anaheim. Property lines can be from 2-50ft from curb,there-for to-wit and for-soothe,juridictions may vary.

 

[princessnicchia]

This may be a little off -topic, so please forgive me, but I just spent a weekend in Seattle and was astonished at the increase in both number and aggressiveness of the homeless/panhandlers in that town. I was just there about a year and a half ago and there was a substantial difference. I'm glad for the warning because I have never seen them during a Disneyland trip and can prepare for the inevitable questions this will bring up with the little ones.

And I personally think it is normal to feel unsafe when people are panhandling if they approach you. I am not judging people who are homeless, but statistically there is a portion of the homeless who are either mentally ill or have substance abuse problems, which makes for an unpredictable situation. And for many of us, unpredictable equals unsafe.

Sadly, one more sign of the times.

 

[darph nader]

I meant as far as Disney security goes,not APD.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I haven't experienced this myself, but it doesn't surprise me that there are more people asking for money. For many, the economy is really tough right now. Those who were just barely making it, may be needin some aid now. Orange County is not a cheap place to live.

My question, however, is why did you feel unsafe? You did not state that you saw anyone stealing. Asking for money is not the same as taking from someone. Curious what made you feel unsafe. Thanks for sharing.

- Dreams

I guess I felt unsafe because I do not
like to be approached or walked up on into my
personal space without expecting it. Their demeanor was more aggressive than I was used to, and when I travel alone with small children my guard is up.
While at Disneyland I do like the immersion where I can forget about the world, that is why I have been considering staying onsite. Having Poole ask for money is a snap back to reality.
Also could be I was more hypersensitive this last trip, I had 2 small childrn and my 80 year old mother. I probably felt more vulnerable
lol thanks for the therapy session I feel like I got in touch with my problem

hehe, happy to have helped.

Seriously though, it helps to understand what you are afraid of, doesn't it? The immersion element of staying on-site is definitely an advantage. DL, unlike WDW, does sit in the middle of a city and reality can pop in a bit.

We (as in, people in general) don't like to be reminded of what others' lack when enjoying ourselves, so I can see how it could be unsettling. However, I think from your own re-telling, you were not unsafe, which is great. There are a lot of people around (generally) along Harbor Blvd. My guess is the individuals you encountered were more hungry and looking for money for food than mean looking for trouble.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

In this economy, there are just more desperate and homeless people pretty much everywhere, and that's just the reality of it. It makes sense that they would try to ask for money close to Disneyland, because there are oodles of nice vacationers in spend mode with money in their pockets. It doesn't worry or bother me, but then again, I'm from the SF area and there are many panhandlers here.

 

[Peri]

My suggestion for panhandlers is a courteous and clear, "Sorry, no." Then ignore any continuing discussions.

I have always tried to keep a "running total" in my head of the number of panhandlers I encounter during the day (I am a former prosecuting attorney and worked in a large city, downtown, for many years, so I would average 5 to 10 a day during the week). When I make a donation to food bank, a shelter or other agency that assists the homeless, I try to add on a dollar for each person that I saw (whether they were actively begging or not). This makes me feel like I am sort of helping that person, in a way. The dollar will be stretched among several people by the agency, by the way, so you are assisting far more people far more effectively.

I saw once some cards you could give the homeless that referred them to the nearby kitchens and areas where assistance was available, but that was in another city.

I can also avow, as I prosecuted misdemeanors (which includes panhandling and loitering) that I NEVER saw, in 20 years of work, a situation where a panhandler touched or harmed a citizen, although many are, as mentioned above, suffering from mental disabilities or alcholism. The worst that happened was on couple occassions the people were overly persistent and would follow someone for a couple blocks. The reason they were arrested was not because of a citizen complaining, but because an officer would see them panhandle and step in.

I strongly urge other dis folk not to worry about panhandlers or to fear them - yes, some are rude, as are some of us, but they are unlikely to hurt you. You are in more danger from pickpockets or small time thieves in the parks.

I will get off my soapbox now.

 

[nunzia]

That kind of thing bothers me too. Being approached is threatening, especially if you have children with you. I haven't stayed off site for years because I like the total immersion, but last Sept we stayed off site by the convention center for the Expo and I was impressed with how much better the area looks compared to when we took the kids when they were little. That said, one night there was a VERY loud and annoying guy who also had a few extra people with him, screaming at people about Jesus and being saved..IMO this kind of thing turns people away instead of the desired goal, but anyway. He was very aggressive and people were very uncomfortable, and I was too. Did I mention he was wearing chains and rattling them around??
Anyway..I'm sure the economy adds to this, but, not to go political on anyone, there is such a growing wave of a sense iof entitlement that I think we will see more and more of this with growing aggression. I work at a church and we help a huge amount of people, but you would not believe the number of people who will scream at us that they need such and such RIGHT NOW, and if we give them a food voucher they are mad they can't buy alcohol or gasoline. They are mad we can't give them money TODAY because they need it for a bill or something. it's really a growing problem and I see it every day.
Off soap box...

 

[gethane]

Peri, thanks for your informed, evidence-based, and rational response. I live in Berkeley and I see a lot of homeless and panhandlers. I've even been verbally accosted by one. I do not, however, forget how very privileged I am (and I'm not by most standards) to not have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, whether there is a roof over my head in the pouring rain, and that I have extra money for non-essentials that I can spend to take my family to Disneyland.

 

[briangl]

The panhandlers are harmless. Its your fellow motorists that will cause you harm.