I really want an answer to this from people who are not reddit-brained libs. I have seen some good points elsewhere about this contributing to a cycle of abuse and control, causing parents to withdraw their kids from school to beg instead, etc., but if someone is desperate enough to humiliate themselves by begging on the street, shouldn’t we give to them? Or should I feel bad that I did give to them?
In Europe it happens rarely, and you can often recognise them. In my city they operate only in or near train stations and move a lot to avoid police. They also often use the same sign and after a few days of seeing them all around they will all just have disappeared.
Not sure how the operation works, but these people that are on the street for it often can’t turn to other places for help because of their immigration status or past crimes.