Several years ago, my wife and I, along with another couple, were in Dublin, Ireland, visiting the old sod of our ancestors. One day as we were walking along St. James Street on our way to the Guinness Storehouse, I noticed a woman wearing a distinctive, bright green shawl, standing alone next to a building. She appeared to be frail and sickly and was holding a white cane in one hand and a tin cup in the other.
The thought of this blind, fragile lady having to beg for money to buy a few morsels of food seemed terribly unfair. I couldn’t resist reaching out to this destitute old woman and as I walked closer to her, I noticed that her eyes were squeezed shut, yet she could sense me standing there. She reached out, cup in hand, begging for money. I just couldn’t resist, so I gave her all of the coins I had in my pocket.
As I walked away, I wished her well and was feeling very proud of myself. What a guy, I thought, so compassionate, so caring.
We continued on to our destination and after touring the famous Guinness landmark, we headed back. On our return, we passed a small park where several people were playing soccer. To my astonishment I saw her – the frail, blind old lady, with a cigarette in one hand, the green shawl transformed into a makeshift headband, giving her a Hells-Angel look, running and kicking the ball down the field. Oh, and the white cane – that was being used as an out-of-bounds marker on the field.
I remember shouting in amazement, “She’s healed!” It must have been all of that money I gave her, knowing full well that I had been scammed by one of the oldest, not the oldest, professions in the world. Gullible. Nai?ve. I was all of those and more.
Being snookered by professional scam artists is not uncommon. For example, is it just me, or does it seem like there’s a different type of “homeless” people that we’re now seeing standing at the various intersections in Portland and other cities? Holding handmade signs that usually say something like, “Homeless can you help?” hasn’t changed, but there is definitely a difference both in appearance and numbers of these new “homeless” solicitors.
It is common to see people who are literally living on the streets usually carrying large trash bags packed with everything they own. Often they are pushing old grocery carts as a means of transporting and protecting their meager possessions.
By just looking at these poor souls, it’s easy to see how difficult their lives must be as they battle against the elements of weather and those who would try to steal their measly belongings and even do them harm. Just trying to find food and shelter every day takes all of their survival skills.
What makes matters worse is the fact that many homeless people suffer from mental illness that usually goes untreated, thus increasing their vulnerability.
So who is this new class of “displaced” individuals? They are younger and appear relatively well dressed and well groomed. In fact, on more than one occasion I’ve witnessed these “needy” folks using cell phones, wearing stylish Nike sneakers and instead of trash bags, they have designer backpacks to store their belongings. No wobbly-wheeled shopping carts are to be seen.
In what seems like an organized effort, this new group has quietly taken control of the choice, high-traffic volume intersections, thus having access to a greater number of potential suckers – I mean supporters.
What’s even more interesting is observing their subtle movements that seem almost choreographed as they try to capture the sympathies of the waiting motorists who are temporarily captured, like penned salmon, by the red light.
For example, one strategy is to stand close to the intersection and as the light turns red walk slowly by the waiting vehicles looking straight ahead, holding the sign, but still glancing toward each driver trying to make eye contact.
As I shared my observations with a few friends recently, one told me that she witnessed a “homeless” person being dropped off at a prime intersection by someone who then drove off with others in the car.
Whether we are witnessing a new “homeless” cottage industry is certainly a question; however, this evolution does present a legitimate concern. Most folks have genuine sympathy for people who are truly homeless and if there is an organized effort designed to play on these sympathies, then that scam needs to be exposed for what it is.
The real homeless people need our compassion, and as a society, we must strive to find ways to help. If there is a new troupe of street players artfully and deceitfully massaging our basic sympathies for their own benefits, then they need to be exposed.
Keep an eye out for that bright green shawl – it may really be a headband.
Bill Diamond of Windham served as District 12’s senator from 2004-2012, and is also a former Maine secretary of state.
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