T
The_Old_Medic
Guest
We had a woman who would show up at virtually any gathering at our church. She would claim to be from out of town, with two children, no money to but them food, no money for gas, etc. If she could find someone new, they often gave her money.
Turned out, she hits every church in town on a rotating schedule. She collects hundreds of dollars every week (tax free because there are no records), and has scammed virtually every pastor at some time or another.
So, we put out a warning. He got an injunction barring her from our church property (and the two other Catholic Churches in town), and several Protestant Churches did the same thing.
The last time she showed up at our church, we called the police and had her arrested for trespassing (she had already been repeatedly warned to stay off the property by the police).
This can be a severe problem. Most panhandlers are either scammers or alcoholics/drug addicts. The LAST thing that they need is cash money.
It is false pity to provide them with cash. You are only assisting their problem, instead of helping them.
Turned out, she hits every church in town on a rotating schedule. She collects hundreds of dollars every week (tax free because there are no records), and has scammed virtually every pastor at some time or another.
So, we put out a warning. He got an injunction barring her from our church property (and the two other Catholic Churches in town), and several Protestant Churches did the same thing.
The last time she showed up at our church, we called the police and had her arrested for trespassing (she had already been repeatedly warned to stay off the property by the police).
This can be a severe problem. Most panhandlers are either scammers or alcoholics/drug addicts. The LAST thing that they need is cash money.
It is false pity to provide them with cash. You are only assisting their problem, instead of helping them.