For Some BART Panhandlers, Begging Is Their Job

[@szqsk8]

Hand them a job application and they will leave.

[@samanthaosamau2]

szqsk8 You mean get Child and start asking questions you want to beg on the street The least you can do is not bring your children in harms way

[@codereddefense]

szqsk8 Very good point.

[@bernieudo4399]

Allergic to work. "Cough!"

[@andrewanderson3572]

Who the hell carries a paper job application on them ? It's all done online these day's 😅

[@drinkingpoolwater]

“the roma’s have been persecuted for centuries” hmm is it a mystery why?

[@rider92131]

My "favorite" panhandler incident was a couple of years ago in San Diego, when 3 of us were leaving a restaurant after lunch. A gypsy (she was from a slavic country) woman in the parking lot had a large kid in a stroller. After signaling her kid to start performing (I was watching), she wheeled the screaming 3-4 year old over to us. The kid was screaming "I want it, I want it!!" The mom plaintively begged us to give her a couple dollars so she could go over to a nearby CVS and buy what he child demanded. Hardhearted bastard that I am, I firmly said NO! so that there would be no doubt on her part. When it became clear no money wold be forthcoming, the kid turned off the tantrum instantaneously. Welcome to California!

[@brianwalsh1401]

Con people are everywhere.

[@Cloud-u7s]

hahaha good job

[@maryreilly5092]

Unfortunately, the gypsies have arrived in FL and are doing the same crap.

[@Hispandinavian]

There's your diversity in action. You don't see Koreans doing that.

[@elmalifico3708]

My favorite panhandling story was when I went to a Panda Express and three people parked next to me and they started begging for money for something to eat. There was a middle aged son and daughter and an elderly mother. The funny thing was that they all sounded like the guy who helped Robin Williams with his disguise in “Mrs. Doubtfire”. Told them “I’m sorry but I can’t” then backed out and went to get something to eat elsewhere.

[@estellepatella2520]

BART should not allow panhandling on the trains.

[@rockvilleraven]

In Washington, DC its illegal to solicit on the Metro unless you're 10 feet away outside the station entrance. Similar to distance Panhandlers have to be away from an ATM. Its more of a harassment than a first Amendment right.

[@Qrayon]

Estelle According to signs at its stations BART does not allow panhandling on the trains nor in its stations. In spite of what the officer said in the video, one can get arrested for begging on the train.

[@pragmatic7green]

estelle patella yes it UNFAIR OPPRESSIVE upon workers jobseekers, ;,;,;,

[@pragmatic7green]

estelle patella panhandling should NOT be rewarded/permitted!! Give EVERYONE,:, job-training/placement, fulltime job, independence, mass-transit subways trains etc, youth health usefulness fairness order sanity reality , science, forward-motion/progress/hope, ,;,;,;, get RID of forced-drugging/starving/fasting/medicating/feeding, cults , child-beating_____, stalkers bullies, stealing, religious-political-religious-leadership!!!

[@bernieudo4399]

Poor children. Many exposed to cold air...rain...smoke. Call CPS!

[@bigmalc63]

Is anyone ever asking the question why the babies are always so quiet? I remember hearing about this same issue in the UK and it turned out that the babies were often drugged up to keep them quiet. Surely this has to be worth investigating?

[@JAZZHOBO]

How lovely you two are! Typical American Hate Trolls. May you children all be homeless vagrants, as a Curse from Yahweh says, in Torah..."Ye Were Slaves And Strangers in Egypt."

[@bigmalc63]

Jazzhobo, I'm neither American nor a hate troll. I entirely support those in real need to seek and receive help. But the context of this video is those who are scamming the system and giving a bad reputation to those who really need assistance. The issue of what is being done to the babies to keep them quiet is troubling and should be looked into. No need to go round cursing people who you disagree with. Yahweh also has a great deal to say about swindlers, people who refuse to do an honest day's work, and those who curse others without due cause.

[@field16]

This is an interesting question you raised, and I am sending my prayer up to God asking him to check on the welfare of these children. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

[@julieannpaige6108]

Malcolm Mackinnon here in Los Angeles same thing the babies are always asleep it's strange never see the kids here awake. They are Romanians like this city

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

He IS one of the bumbs in the video.

[@bonefishboards]

My daughter, living in San Diego, left a pizza joint in Mission Beach with a half of a large pie in a takeout box. There was a homeless person sitting out side looking for donations. My daughter handed the pizza to the woman and she said, "is it gluten free?" When my daughter said no, the woman threw it on the ground. Gotta love the homeless.

[@brianwalsh1401]

She probably just wanted money. I bought a panhandler a sandwich and gave it to him. He gave me a sneer and look of disdain. He wanted money. I'm not enabling addictions.

[@judithramirez9859]

@@brianwalsh1401 I worked at a recycling center in California and we had a hundred homeless people a day come in…they told me the don’t take food because people sometimes tamper with food such as put broken glass or chemicals in food offered to them. So they’re distrustful.

[@brianwalsh1401]

@@judithramirez9859 That is so freaking sad that people would do some\thing like that to people already struggling so much. I think you need to be a sociopath to do something like that. This guy was in front of the supermarket I was going into and I said no to money but I told him I'd get him something to eat and asked him what he wanted. I bought him a sandwich and gave it to him on the way out and he looked at me in disgust when I gave it to him. I'm pretty sure he was an addict who wanted money for drugs.

[@raygordon3728]

I talked to one of them once. They said they do it because they can. As long as people give them money they'll keep at it.

[@xuimod]

Yeah when a person can afford $2000 a month for rent, a few dollars every once in a while is nothing.

[@matthewjensenproselovealmighty]

And that’s why we should expose them, so, that there learned that greedy comes with a price, like losing money, there home, there kids, and themselves. Every word or action, like panhandling has consequence, and most people are so terrible hiding themselves when there being recorded on Bart train, or everywhere, DUH!

[@LLL-ki9lg]

To the anthropologist: You said "new" discrimination in America. Well, I wonder why were they forced out of Europe? Could it be for the same reasons people want them out of our BART trains and streets? So it's not a "new" discrimination. It's the same one for the same reason. Oh and it's not discrimination. We don't want anybody panhandling on BART while they own a Mercedes and live in a $3000 apartment unit.

[@never_give_up90]

@FLOWER they were forced out! lol They are also nomadic. Sorry I am 8 months late!

[@oldbatwit5102]

@@ang5035 Jews, Poles and gays have value.

[@reevomd8056]

Notice that Professor Carol Silverman states that the behaviors or acts are not documented, she never denied whether they are true or false.

[@peekaboots01]

Their kids are not starving they are always look well fed if not chubby.

[@MoneyMan28]

Yea, they are most likely millionaires pretending to be poor

[@AmakaHubner-fn5fu]

This is a great video KPIX! Very important work. This crime continues today. Everyone living in and visiting the Bay Area should watch this. Especially after the recent burglaries by a certain group in San Jose

[@edwardhumphries205]

Golden rule: Ignore all panhandlers and don’t give them anything and they will go away. That SF police chief isn’t policing - maybe he should remember the taxpayers pay for the city not the freeloaders.

[@TaySlayXOXO]

I’m just happy to see the cops protecting first amendment rights. If they arrested panhandlers for practicing their rights, the US would lose more freedom and the outrage would be astronomical.

[@earth7451]

One of those women was asking for money with a boy who was around eight years old. When my friend didn't give them money inside a restaurant, the boy came back to our table and told my friend: "What's your problem....what's your problem BITCH!!!???" I bet her mother told him to say that because they had already left and the boy returned to our table. Child Protective Services should do something about parents who are using children to beg for money.

[@davids.816]

This story deserves way more views. Great journalism kpix!

[@sergiolucyayala425]

Here in Fremont they wash their clothes at Lee's Laundry on Mowry and Fremont blvd they bring at least 8 kids spend money on the vending machines buying junkfood endlessly..plus the little ones stick their hands inside and steal whatever they can . One lady cussed a teen out because she stole her laundry baskets and wouldn't give them back. I saw one girl at Starbucks nicer clothes than me and was buying 10 Frapuccinos she went outside with some guy and got into a brand new Range Rover with the panoramic roof...by the way she had a MK purse...looked new.

[@deckerrm]

If you can carry a baby and a sign, you can hold a job.

[@pearsonjustin3302]

yes it is documented, I lived in Germany for 20 years. thoes people are very organized and will steal anything. they don't need any money. I assure you!

[@nufsaid80]

3:00. Professor:. "They left France because they were facing discrimination"?? Does she really believe that?

[@Godismystrength31]

They would get more help from the poor , than the rich. Just my beliefs. Poor in money , rich in heart!! Its sad to take advantage of anyone. I dont think about if their lying or not , i dont want to risk not helping a person in need because of other people lying about needing. I just do it and walk away. Its not our job to judge

[@motleyassortment5512]

When you start begging for money on train and public transportation then it's considered a form of harassment and charity. If you harass people for money, you should get kicked of public transportation. Many truely homeless people can't get help to survive day to day because of "fakers" like these guys. If you have a job, don't act like you are destitute and homeless because you are hurting the real homeless who need help more than you do!

[@profoundgenius9726]

Lol my great grandmother always said don’t trust gypsies. She lived in SF for 60 years 70 years later the same shit is going on

[@judithramirez9859]

My family came from Ukraine and my Grandmother & Great-Grandma said the same thing to us…they even said if a Gypsy walks on one side of road go to the other side to avoid them…

[@robertbarrett7620]

The babies are given drugs or alcohol, thats why they are quiet and sedated.

[@Cleatus546]

Let them beg in their own country.

[@danfrain7959]

If you get on the tram in the UK and beg you get a angry driver shouting over the mic

[@pragmatic7green]

Frainie 12 bring this to USA please!!

[@maryreilly5092]

I ignore them, all panhandlers, because I have chosen to help support two homeless family members. Family First! That's how it's supposed to be. Take care of your own. Sorry, not sorry!

[@SW20FL]

They have the balls to look you in the face and tell you a bold lie. Do it back. That’s the only thing that works with them. Gypsies consider you a “sucker” if you give them money. Maybe that will make at least one person think twice.

[@Ladyvisionary]

The lady in the beginning of the video. I used to see her a lot. One day I saw her getting into a Mercedes at the Fremont Bart station parking lot

[@jay1970]

I really hate people like that expert Silverman. 80% of people on Bart won’t even know they are romas, this is bogus discrimination claim.

[@horrorfilm3884]

Once one gets killed they'll see it's dangerous and shouldn't be doing it

[@assassinmanx6128]

Yes!

[@HiMyNameIsJonathan]

The lady with the baby has been there for years 🧐🧐🧐

[@TheCharleseye]

It's discrimination to look down on con-artists? What's next?! Am I discriminating if I speak poorly of the guy who broke into my house?!

[@TheCharleseye]

Erwin Schrödinger So be it.

[@captaincracker8980]

She forgot ‘they smell like shit’

[@LuckyDuckie115]

Seems like they are fitting the stereotype

[@zxwmabcdef5439]

They are too lazy to work not too proud to beg. They make a circle through about 15 countries in Europe and Central Asia panhandling. I have heard Gypsy stories basically when they show up anything that isn't bolted down vanishes.

[@rhtball]

They have the energy to be out begging they should have the energy to get a job.. How many are illegal immigrants that came here with no resources?

[@rockvilleraven]

Hopefully the next President will force on to manatory workfare.

[@edsloan8535]

Only in fucking San Francrazy would they call panhandling a job....

[@Elliebellebama]

This is what Liberalism gets you

[@jay1970]

In Norway, when I politely refused to give money to a young Roma girl, she blatantly told me that you Indian people don’t help us.

[@gummiemommie]

Please. Hungry and can afford an audi and the premium gas it needs, strongly doubt they are victims of discrimination.

[@marcaliventialiventi765]

Same thing on nycta, sometimes the baby isn't a baby but a doll. Try buying them food and see what happens next

[@Cleatus546]

There's a beggar that hangs out by the entrance to a nearby Jack in the Box. I've seen him angrily yell at anyone that offers to buy him something to eat; "I want money not food!"

[@jasonsmith1143]

after living in SF Bayarea for more than 39 years, I have enough. what I have learned is FEE, Raise on bridge, Bart, Tax, Violation etc. bye bye

[@elizabethmelchor7764]

I have seen and dealt with these "panhandlers" before and all they are is a group of scammers. They all have homes and vehicles and some even have jobs, other than begging.

[@scotttaylor1841]

get a job !!!

[@arronhernandez249]

i dated a gypsy in 96. she use come and eat all my food and take some home. always wanted rides everywhere and barrow money.

[@davids.816]

Lol was she good in the sack at least?

[@customerservice9602]

Sounds like you had a girlfriend. You think that's bad wait to you get a wife ...

[@lauranope605]

“The bleeding hearts” will always give money.

[@ctjk1982]

where is cps when it comes to this.

[@Honey-Sanchez]

While a single parent with one child can manage on just over $45,000 a year in Alabama, for example, it takes at least $62,000 a year to make ends meet in California. If the family has two children, those numbers rise to $56,000 and $74,922, respectively provided they have employment.

[@annabelle7448]

Simple solution somebody ask you for money ignore them if they keep pushing tell them to leave you alone!

[@jaymorpheus1111]

A MERCEDES?

[@bernieudo4399]

Not just a job...a business. 💵💰

[@1atrcooper]

Don't feed the animals they become dependent and wont feed themselves

[@jacquelineithell307]

My best was a girl about 20 years of age in England begging and asking people l only want £1 pound coins no lose change l immediately said think l will try this way myself mind boggles not only begging but telling you what to give

[@tonyl6239]

EXCELLENT video. Stupid idiots who give them money are contributing to this scam.

[@xsailor85]

BART stations are a mess. Apply for the janitorial dept for BART & they will have job security.

[@ang5035]

I feel like I live in Europe or southern South America with all these Roma people I see on Bart

[@beentheredonethat7572]

Stop giving & they will stop asking, stop giving back things they give away & that would stop too...

[@tomservo5007]

wouldn't a kia car be acceptable ????

[@annmittelstadt2938]

If they hand me a pack of kleenx, I would chuck it down the isle. Lol

[@fumblerooskie]

There is no excuse for ambush begging on BART trains. I feel for people who genuinely need the money, but I simply will not give to those who exploit the situation for profit.

[@chestermicek]

We also have scams & scammers in Atlanta, GA; here's three: "Lie, Cry, Run to Daddy", "Damsel in Distress", "I Can Fix Your Car." "Lie, Cry, Run to Daddy" works like this. You're in a coffee shop or diner having a snack & reading a book. Out of the blue, some hick starts to critique to his girlfriend or dining partner. The hillbilly criticizes the way you dress, sit, look, & makes fun of you reading a book Once the hayseed has your attention, he tells his girlfriend that you're Queer. You lose your temper, go over to him, and start a fight. Meanwhile, his girlfriend or partner has video taped you walking over and mouthing off. You don't know it, but you're going to jail & you're going to be fined and sued. The whole episode was a scam from start to finish. Now, if I get enough likes, I'll tell you about the other two scams: "Damsel" & "Fix Your Car". Either way, I gave you a heads up.

[@tofupower64]

I want to know about the other two.

[@mikeg3439]

Most people are soft-headed ninnies who have no idea how much money most panhandlers make. Local media in LA did an expose' on this (for which they were loudly demonized), showing that in the mid 1990's, the average panhandler was making the take-home pay equivalant of like 18/hour, and one guy they followed was literally living in a small house in a very expensive neighborhood, and turns out he was making, back then, over 70K a year tax free, because he had a really good spot and was good at begging.

[@transitdude3352]

I don’t fall for nothing! No sad sob stories or nothing. Beat it!

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

1st Amendment of the United States Constitution. _Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances._ Where is the part about begging being a right?

[@davidrincon6266]

I see the same person every day when I get off work he knows me already I never give him money he even has a chair sitting under the shade begging

[@asianfireflie]

dc subway too at Pentagon city mall they pretend they need help

[@ShakespeareCafe]

How about the guy who proudly announces to the car “today is my birthday” and gladly accepts monetary birthday gifts...

[@Vapor_Man650]

The Kleenex thing is what people do do in Mexico

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

Who would want a Kleenex from a random stranger?

[@samanthaosamau2]

I am Romani gypsy I would never want to be classified as a beggar ,thief or a scammer of some sort I’ve seen them here in Texas ,San Antonio same story I work my ass off 7 days a week the hell with that lifestyle

[@samanthaosamau2]

LE REDDIT COMMANDER Your nobody to tell me I’m not gypsy ,because I’m not scamming people for a living I’m sorry I have a brain I will not be on the streets begging just to support you lazy gypsy men

[@mohammadbazzi3072]

good job.

[@saulsalinas2009]

BEGGING : HIGHLY ORGANIZED AND LUCRATIVE

[@zxwmabcdef5439]

There is a city in China that takes the cake. The panhandlers got so bad they had to put concrete spikes at intersections and cages around benches.

[@rockvilleraven]

They are also on the Washington Metrorail system and disobey the panhandling rule which is 10 feet outside the entrance same as a ATM here.

[@notprovided1131]

I have seen a lot of women with their children panhandling when I was in Mexico City.

[@thisguy1444]

Get them out of America let's make America great again

[@MrManuel9999]

They need to stop inside Bart..doing businnes

[@pyrho1]

These people are the worst. They are scammers who put children in danger. They should be arrested

[@petroldevo9934]

They should require that these panhandlers that stay on the trains pay by the hour to stay on. Imo.

[@missbrownskinlady23]

Nothing but scammers!

[@neckarsulme]

offer them a real job and they will disappear very quickly

[@GeorgeWBush-be8xq]

When i see people saying they have a babie and need money doing that on a train, i don't give them anything because if i were you i do better things because homeless parents try everything for their children and have more effort.

[@AddLoveTM126]

Yeah, let a group of "Blacks" TRY it; and see what happens....

[@elena-lc4uk]

Oh we shooting them,,,,,that's the reaction you'll get

[@julianhermanubis6800]

I HATE San Francisco.

[@mrnoname3909]

Give money to nobody---the cities have a plethora of resources, especially Fremont

[@mei6044]

Bart is a business. I don't think you have the right to do anything you want on Bart, bothering paying customers. Thats not freedom of speech.

[@rabbitsfoot8]

it's disgusting to pray on the sympathies of ordinary people who are struggling simply because you are too lazy to work...disgusting

[@MickeyJaymz]

These same individuals will show up at a non profit and say they are homeless and starving. Some young college kid will ask them about their "journey" and film them talking about all the bad things that happened to them in life. Never once admitting that bad things happened while they were high on dope. These are individuals with untreated mental health issues and they have been given the right to refuse treatment. Creating more housing will not prevent scenes like this, it never has. Even if we sweep up all the homeless and put them in a giant warehouse, they still have to leave to go hustle up money to buy dope. They are not going to trek all the way back to a home, shelter, SRO to indulge. They indulge where they stand, sit or lie. The tents are the hotel rooms. The campers are the hotel rooms. The vans are the hotel rooms. The faces of these same individuals may end up on a poster that a non profit is using to con - vince senior citizens to donate to their foundation under the notion that they are "fighting to end homelessness one person at a time". The directors and managers of non profits are winning because they make a big enough salary to to avoid seeing this or living in poverty. When they go home at night, they aren't reminded of this. They've got their families, holidays and material possessions to distract themselves from it all.

[@field16]

Instead of giving cash, we could offer to give groceries. We could offer to go to the store with them and buy their food. We could offer to visit their landlord and check on their rent. How much is their rent and what are their actual living conditions? If they are deceivers, they will likely turn down our offer. By offering our time in addition to our money, we will see who actually needs help. I know it is easier in the moment to just give cash and be done, but giving our time to those that really need the help would be more of a benefit to society. And giving cash to those that are deceiving us only enables them to continue in their sin. I pray that God would help us know how he wants us to help the poor. I also pray he would stop the deceivers from taking advantage of our willingness to do good. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

[@rockvilleraven]

They will just refuse it.

[@field16]

Those that have a genuine need might accept your help. If you offer, and they refuse your help, you can depart in peace with a good conscience.

[@5winder]

Amen... if they don't want your time, don't give them your money.

[@orubenstein]

They just leave the food on the ground.

[@battle_p9291]

Gypsies from Europe now in the US? Never thought that would happen, but I guess it's true.

[@callmegorgeouos]

1st amendment rights, really Chief ?? There’s something called ‘Private Property Rights’ where business could refuse the services/people in specific situation that causes destruction of property & safety disturbance! It’s your (BART) Property when people enter your premises just like any business, you have the Rights & Responsibility to make sure no one enter your ground to cause distress to others/your customers/staffs and implement action to ask/take unwanted people out of your property. Don’t make excuses that you can’t do anything with people who violates a crime or disturbances on your property (Police & Bart Staffs)

[@luisrojas8133]

Yes they are been discriminated in mexico too ,like the lady said , maybe because they pull same tactic and people down there like to help but don't like to be fool

[@wakeup3581]

Because it is true! If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it’s a duck!

[@nardo218]

Kleenex I don't mind. Once they got me when I had a cold and I really needed some tissues, so I gave her a dollar and said thanks. AT least they're quiet and polite. Do we really think these people are having a great life? They're refugees with no job being forced to beg on the train. I think we can afford a moment of kindness. You don't have to give them money, you can ignore people who aren't harming you.

[@xianixiir3091]

There is no such thing as begging fraud, panhandling is a 1st amendment protected right. Anyone can beg for any reason!!!

[@htomc42]

In some places, there's "obtaining money by false pretenses". I wonder if that would work.

[@lincolnapacheavila8058]

YOU COULD TELL FROM MILES THAT THEY ARE FRAUDS THEY DONT WANT TO WORK THEY SPECT TO GET MONEY FROM PEOPLE THAT FEEL SORRY FOR THEM.

[@nufsaid80]

Those babies looked doped up...

[@alfredoponce2945]

Her nails on point and they need money .

[@the9file]

they do know where those babies come from right?

[@realazduffman]

3:15---but they do not work!

[@510JAYCALIFAS]

1:31 guys i know the women who is walking down the train i saw her wile i was in the transbay tube.

[@Dollar_Menu]

:27 no job, four kids. This is your job, where are the others three kids? People should just keep the kleenex that they gave them and be like, sorry buddy but you gave this to me as a gift. I bet they would probably stop handing them out.