April 19, 2004
Quality of Boston Life
I spent the weekend in Boston and I noticed something as soon as I got off the bus. Beantown has a serious problem with (aggressive) panhandlers. Not only do these men and women aim high ("Can I have $5?"), they are generally not shy about getting right in your face to ask.
And rather than the sing-song, humorous approach you often see in New York, the people in Boston had a (perhaps understandably) angry tone about their pitch for money.
I've never been a vocal supporter of the crackdown on "quality of life" crimes in New York City, but I think it really has made a difference here.
I'm pretty sure I didn't come across this guy.
"Some people call Rufus Raymond a homeless psycho bum, but no one denies that he is a man with a dream. Rufus is a panhandler who frequents the pavement on the strip of clubs outside of Fenway Park with the hope of someday buying his favorite team. 'I'm saving to buy the Red Sox. It's going to happen, I know it in my heart.'"
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General
posted by at April 19, 2004 10:05 PM
