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I needed help with a project at the house one day, stopped at a fairly healthy looking "Will work for food" type. I offered him $100.00 and feeding for help. He refused, when I kept pressing the issue he finally admitted he'd make more there.

seamusTX wrote:Begging is not a crime. Assault is a crime. Aggravated assault causing bodily injury is a felony.

- Jim

What are you trying to say Jim? Actually, in Dallas panhandling/begging is a crime. Escalating your language, aggressive gestures and quickening your pace toward a person IS threatening and can be assault (remember assault is the "threat" of violence) and my making eye contact and stepping toward him was a non-violent action that discouraged his aggression.

Digressing into the dangers of carelessly handling high pressure nozzles is amusing but non-relevant. However come to think of it, the nozzle being handy would have been a good non-lethal deterrent had he pressed.

suthdj wrote: Should have just sprayed him with the wand, If he is close enough it will draw blood, I lost some skin once on the back of my hand hurt like heck, or it'll just give him a shower which I am sure he needed.

Yep, he could have used the bath. Yeah, water injections hurt...I got one with a high pressure nozzle on a fire engine ( a while back) once, it blistered (sub-dermal water) and bled.

I'm a fairly charitable person, but a lot of panhandlers are "professional". There is a sign outside of a convenience store I used to vist that said:

Please don't give to our bums, they make more than you do.

Attitude can do a lot, even with the crazy ones. I had one approach me at a car wash. He was talking on the way up, I looked at him and said, "Sorry, I've got nothing for you." He started to wind up (aggressiveness and verbiage) and continue his approach, I set down the wand and started to walk toward him. He decided he was about to get hurt and retreated. I was carrying but never reached for it or indicated I was armed. But then again, as nice of a guy as I am, I look kinda mean.

Over the years, terseness and eye contact has discouraged many.