Just how many times have you traveled that area, (especially on weekends) and seen kids on all the corners begging for money? I have seen this for years and finally it looks like one of the property owners has finally had enough of it.
I know there's got to be some kind of laws out there against panhandling without a license and I know the Sheriff's Deputy vehicles pass by this all day long on weekends, yet nothing is ever done about it?
I can see if it was something like the Salisbury Little League Team looking to raise funds to go to the World Series, but weekend after weekend for a basketball team just to play, I don't think so. Hopefully it will come to an end because I'm tired of feeling uncomfortable every time I drive past there.
15 comments:
Those kids are preparing for a
full-time position at ECI as inmates. Afterall they just need to go up the street a few blocks
for the nalor mill lock-up. Their
parents need an attitude adjustment.
There is graffiti ramphant everywhere. I got my hair cut at Hair-Em South yesterday and they have even sprayed the hair salons and adjacent antique shop.
There are Vancany signs everywhere where shopping centers and business centers were once located.
What is going on around here?
If they are collecting for a good cause, I say more power to them. They aren't running up wiping a dirty rag over your windshield and they definitely aren't threatening. They are kids. They want to play basketball. Either support them or not, it's your own decision. I go by there at least once or twice a day on the weekends and if I have an extra buck I give it to them. Don't say that just because they are black and they want to have the money to do things that they are "preparing to become inmates". Sometimes the small mindedness of those on the Shore really burns me. In this economy, or with parents that don't give a crap (whichever may be the case), it's nice to see that at least these kids are out on a hot street corner trying to acomplish something.
I'm split on the issue. A few of my coworkers children play on the Basketball team which collects on Naylor/Jersey. The team goes to play at many tournaments across the country, in fact they'll be traveling to one this week. They pick that area because 1) It's a heavy traffic area 2) A lot of the players live in that area 3) And Most Importantly: No stores will let them ask for donations out in front of their stores. Me personally believe it to be an issue of race, Little League=white, Basketball=black
This is some put together team and a joke for a tournament, hell the local Salisbury club is run a hell of a lot better than The City of Salisbury government. Each kid has a detailed profile/resume. For most of these players this is a great way for college recruiters to see them in action, since the Eastern Shore isn't a hotbed of high school basketball. And for the other kids there not out on the streets spray painting vacant buildings.
Now my coworker do tell me, not to donate money to anyone standing there NOT IN UNIFORM. If there standing there for legit fundraiser then they will wear their uniforms.
Let me assure you, it's NOT a race issue for me. I'm sorry some comments come out like that and sadly that is how some people feel.
I have a problem with it, no matter who the group is. I cannot stand feeling pressured coming out of Sam's Club, kids asking for money for cookies and whatever else they want money for.
There has to be a better way.
We too have problems with these kids looking for money.I used to call it begging for bucks and used to try to give them money.Color , race and or religion had absolutely nothing to do with me giving them money or not.What has stopped us from giving most of these people (kids,adults etc.)money is their manners,they for the most part are just plain RUDE!.With that said clean up how you are asking folks to support you and you will go much farther.Fliers under a windshield wiper for example are RUDE and end up on the ground more times than not.Trying to wash a windshield for someone who does not want it washed is also RUDE.Want to make money then come up with something of use like yard work for a neighbor or something similar. Standing on a street corner yelling or waiving signs only tends to upset most people.
I gave the kids (in uniform) a couple bucks who were on the right turn median at Eastern Shore Drive and E. Carroll St. They were right outside my window.
The kids at Jersey and Naylor, I worry about because there is no way for them to get your money without coming into the street, unless you have a passenger.
I worry about these kids getting hit, and in both cases, I worry about that. That makes me nervous as a driver and I'm a good one. If it startles others, I think it's a safety issue.
For the kids, I think this has to be safety first.
I have been at the stop sign and had these people put their signs right up to my window. THAT IS RUDE!!! I will not support any group who jumps in front of my car as if I can't see their signs. IF I don't want to support you it is my right. Maybe they should get together and have a yard sale...huh? I might stop then and buy something I don't even want.
Kinda reminds me of the telemarkers and unwanted calls. I had a call asking if I was interested in home improvement...new windows? I told them how my day was and told them I was in the process of filing bankruptcy but would love for them to come out and put in some brand new shiny windows. Assholes never showed up.
Everytime I have seen these kids out there, they are NOT wearing any kind of uniform. For me it's not an issue of race but most other teams do organized fundraisers like bingos or raffles etc... not stand along side a very busy road and "panhandle" for money, it makes me feel uncomfortable going by there because I don't have the money to give and then they just stare at you. The fact they don't even bother to find out who owns the property on which they ask for money is a tell tale sign of how their team is organized, just because they are kids doesn't give them the right to be on someone else's property without permission.
Its ok until you hear that the team has posters saying they are going to Kentucky when they really are going West of Orlando. When the team goes to Orlando the coach who has the money only gave the 8 parents $100.00 to feed all 16 (Parent and Child) for the week that they were there. The parents knew that more funds that that were collected. If Im going to give money to help kids I will donate to the YMCA or to the Salvation Army Youth Club. There is no accountabality with the ones on the street collecting.
Hell I may send my kids out to collect for a cause and let you all pay my rent.
The "panhandling" is just one facet of the fundraising that goes on within these organizations. Sending a team of 12 to 15 players per age group ranging from eight to fifteen to a tournament for 3 days to a week can become quite expensive. Considering the eastern shore is not a hot bed for exposure, the teams must travel to pennsylvania, virginia, tennesee, georgia, north carolina, nevada ..etc. If you don't want to donate, keep it movin'.But don't knock these kids for wanting to better themselves from the life lessons within sport. There are plenty of other kids who don't have the focus and dedication these kids give on a daily basis. If the business community would support the youth more, there would be no panhandling. So before you judge or get an attitude because a teenager who could be in a gang robbing you, is asking for a dollar to help them play basketball for a national championship in their age bracket.
I really think this is bull...and it really has to be a race issue.
I travel that road everyday, and I do not appreciate or enjoy the "begging" for money at this location. I donate money extensively to charitable organizations and worthy causes, but I can't give to everyone! My biggest problem is how they solict for money and the bad manners and lack of control and leadership for whatever cause that represent. Just because someone needs money doesn't mean they have the right to bother or beg. I absolutely resent this corner being used for this type of panhangling.
I have a solution! Get the money from your parents or better yet save up your own money to go and this means ALL of you, black, white,...half and half!!
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