Frank------- if they look hard enough there is a job out there.

There are lots of jobs out there,,,Every fast food place is hiring and see lots of help wanted signs in the mall. I agree with the above post. See the signs around Superstore about no soliciting but never anything done about it. Today in the mall I was even asked for spare change for a coffee.

Anybody can get a job,make sure you are presentable when applying for a job, and dont smell like booze.It just blows me away when people apply for a job in a jean jacket and ball cap,with judas priest emblem,I like judas priest but I would not wear it to a job interview

When times are rough people need a helping hand simple as that. I am not supporting the individuels who are looking for extra money in order to achieve there next high or intoxication but you must realize that there are many people out there who are hungry and cold. From personal experience from working at a gas station you get to know m any of the troubled locals on a personal basis. When approached by the characters many of you sum up and prejudice into one group of drug hungry booze chuggin heartless people you must take into consideration they are people to and enjoy being treated as one. When talking to one of the regulars who always came by for the bottles at the gas station he opened up to me and told me how much it does hurt when people dont show him a little respect he is a very nice guy and apprecaites the small things in life something that todays generation has lost in the twister of spoiled brats who have grown up with it all. Now im not saying its there fault they have a easy life like many homeless it just happend to pick them. One thing i will never forget him telling me is what really makes him happy is when someone takes some times to really talk to him and helps him forget how bad of a position he is in for just a moment. Show some compassion once and a while dont cuss and fuss about another human being trying to get by you just cant throw all people into one nasty group its a complicated topic but use ur best judgment.

Why should it be up to people who know how to work to just hand out their hard earned money, and yes it is scary when they do come knock on your window, even without small children. I am a single WORKING mother, so i will not be so willing to hand out my money that i have worked hard for.

I agree with jhon.
I am not a religious person by any means, however as of late I am seeing the world through different eyes. I am saddened by the ignorance of people like Auntie, bob and anonymous and thier view that they are separate from other human beings of the world; that they are somehow above the rest. Very shallow. Just for a hoot i'd challenge them to just once, do an act of random kindness for a person in need. You never know if your 'act' could be the catalyst that changes someones life.
There is a thoery called the butterfly effect; that a small action like the flap of a butterflys wing could cause a change reaction of events that result in a major change in a weather system somewhere in the world.
The butterfly effect can be applied here. A small act of kindness could trigger a sting of events that cause a major positive change in another humans life. That's pretty powerful. Bottom line is that it is your choice. You can continue to contribute to the problem by doing nothing...or you can put your ego on the shelf and be the change you want to see.

I too would like it if people didn't ask me for money. It's hard sometimes to tell the difference between a drunk and someone who lost their job and then their girlfriend put them out. If I couldn't rent an apartment I don't know where I would store my clothes or my stuff. If all my stuff was put to the curb by the gf and then I needed to dress up for an interview for an entry level job just to be considered, then I would be in trouble.

I actually have a friend who had a very hard time getting a job. Hes not an alcoholic or drug user hes just a typical 40 year old man with too much education. Hes been turned down at McDonalds because he's too over qualified. It took him months to finally find one and the one he got still only pays $14 an hour. Some people honestly have trouble. But those people are usually too proud to ask for money or have people to help them out because they are honestly struggling. He also still keeps himself clean and presentable. So the people I see begging looking like crap, I feel are most likely looking for a fix.

I know that I myself, have been asked on NUMEROUS occasions for change from random people. Lots of times I say no, and not because I'm being ignorant but because I actually don't have any change on me. It never fails to surprise me as to how many people need "help", whether it is they are out of a job or on drugs/alcohol. I know that there have been many times where I have given people the change that I do have, whether it is just a loonie from a cart, or a couple quarters, they are usually very appreciative. I will give to them if they are asking outside of a grocery store, but the ones that I don't like asking me are the ones who you know are drunk already, by the smell of booze on their breath, and have the nerve outside the liquor board store to ask for a quarter because they are short on "bus money" to get to a funeral way up north. Those ones, I know , have lied to me and I will not help support their drinking. There have been many people who have used the same line about having a funeral to go to and need bus fare. There are some people out there that really do need our help, and yes, SAM i agree. Lots of people are overqualified for a job, and sometimes, have no other choice than to just accept defeat in a way. Its sad the way our economy is and that its getting harder and harder to find a job. I am very proud of the people that are struggling and have the courage to ask for help and to do everything in their power to get a job. The people that expect help from others who just want to spend it on alcohol or drugs, are, on the other hand, a very sad story!
Karma is the word that comes to mind here. You do a nice thing for one person, and eventually it will come full circle and someone will do something nice for you!

I believe in helping people who are trying to help themselves, In the last 2 months I have been in contact with 3 people asking for money. The first was a 20'ish year old man in downtown PA. He walked up to me by the downtown credit union and said "got any spare money I need a dollar to get a warm coffee". He looked cold and I had no problem with digging in my pocket and handing the young fellow a dollar(actually $4 and told him to get some solid food with it too). What he did with it is now up to him. I walked away feeling better about myself for possibly helping another. A week later another 20'ish fellow walked up and said gimme a buck! This just ticked me off, because of the intimidation factor he used. I responded with "what did you do for me to EARN that dollar?" That confused him, and he just walked away without the dollar. It might have gone better for him had he used some common sense and worked the sympathy angle rather than the intimidation angle he did.
I left that encounter angry with the youth of today rather than feeling a bit good about myself for helping someone less fortunte than myself.
2 weeks ago I was coming out of a McDonalds in the northern states when a older fellow called me over to his truck. He opened with "Can you help out an old vet?" He explained and pointed to his gas guage that he had been fishing and had lost his wallet. He had no gas to get back there and look for it, and not enough to get to his home either. I looked at the old fellow,on an oxygen bottle and fishing tackle in the back of a late 90's truck and got him $20 and handed it over. He was very appreciative. (even if it was a scam, he worked at it) I felt good about myself for the rest of the trip.

Just do like I do, make them do a song and dance for a dollar, usually they walk away, if not then they put on a show and you get a laugh, and they get a couple of dollars

You are not doing a "good deed" when you are giving someone "spare change". It only enables their drug or booze problems. I work hard for my money, see if they are willing to do the smallest thing for theirs. Most often there is garbage laying near by. I usually reply to them
'if they would like to pick up that garbage and throw it in the nearby bin I would be happy to give them a toonie." 99% of the time I get a F----You and they walk away !! Do not encourage them as they can collect a fair bit of money up and down the streets!! This is not helping to clean up our city!! T.S.

Don't give them funds, as they make little effort to acquire suitable employment in a province that indicated recently that we are need of employable people and are looking else where, when we have People who may not be skilled, but like anyone, can be trained if thier are given the proper training, the other things is to remove the Social Assistance Program, as this is supposed to be used as a last resort, in Alberta you have to submit a minimum of 400 names of locations that you have applied for employment, showing that you have full intemt of seeking viable employment, but giving people on the street money just because they ask for it is not good practice, as they will continue to ask for it, and if you think about, if they ask approximately 20 people in an hour and recieve a dollar from a quarter of those asked works out to 5 dollars an hour and if you sit and ask all day you could earn 45 dollars a day and all you have to do is ask someone who is willing to give you thier hard earned money

This is a very complicated question...however, the jobs are out there, and the people pan handling for money are they people more than capable of working and being respected. They physically walked up to you, asked you for something, so obviously they are capable at working at a entry level job...if jobs wernt redaly available, it would be different..but for heavens sake, go out and earn an honest living...it is most of these people that give PA a bad name..a person recently came from out of town to prince albert for the first time. I was talking to them asking them how they liked our little city. They said, well.."to be honest, first impressions are everything, and on our way into the city there was a native gentleman urianating in the big flower bed by the tourist center"...I thought, well, isnt that just inviting...nothing against native people, just what this person said to me

ok say im a spoiled brat whatever youd like, but here it is:
a few months back there was a guy in the safeway parking lot with a sob story he was trying to get a room at one of the sum bag motels on 2nd ave. and he needed this much more, he looked like a good guy and whatnot. i dont normally give money to these people, they tend to remember you and keep coming back. so i gave him the change i had to get a coffee at starbucks. 3 days later same guy comes upto me in walmart same story same amount he needed to get to get a room. i called him on it...his story changed! i was going to check my mail at the post office downtown i had my 4 kids and nanny in my van, 2 guys came to the car, my husband has pointed them out and already said not to give them anything if they ask as theyre always in detox...stood on either side door, i wouldnt roll down the window, so they tried to open the doors! they wouldnt leave, they threatened to break the windows if i didnt open them, so i called city police! i wasnt getting out of my car with these two hanging around. this was in broad daylight. theres no need. really there isnt, those that are defending them are making things worse.

These people are the walking dead. They survive only to replenish the alcohol in their systems. Drive away, call the police, do not give them money.

Has anyone seen the guy downtown by the banks with a dog? His story changes every day. Not sure what to make of it. Never gave him any money though. I mentioned mabey to try one of the Churches for food.

I gave a guy some money in mcd just to get him to leave. But i was at least happy to see him go buy a burger.

Yeah Joe I've seen the guy with the dog downtown . I think this guy needs to perhaps be charged with loitering. Or does his dog have a license ? Fine him .This guys just one of many losers who are more than capable of working but would rather bilk hardworking people out of the money they EARNED.

I was asked outside of a grocery store not too long ago as well. The individual who asked me, I know she used to work at a different grocery store (than the one I was at) cause I saw her there working before but the point being, I am pretty sure she was capable of working but probably wanted the money for a "quick fix" of something. Plus I don't know how many times I chased people that were "known" shoplifters out of my previous employers business that the same persons kept coming back again and again attempting to steal. Half the time these individuals are probably "on something" and I am sure if they attacked you they'd get nothing more than a slap on the wrist anyways.

2 week ago, I was cornered by a middle aged man and woman asking for money in the vestibule at the CIBC ATMs downtown. Not only did they then know that I had cash on me, but I was cornered in there by myself, after bank hours with no witnesses. I had to push passed them to exist the building...it felt as if there was some intimidation going on. CIBC and ALL downtown merchants need to fix this

The only guy I ever gave money to was that handicapped gentleman who couldn't speak, hence, couldn't ask for money. He was a hell of a pool player. I'd see him in Safeway sometimes and give him a looney or two, I knew he'd go to Bugsys and buy a beer as soon as he had enough, but he never bothered anyone. He's dead now, I've heard.

The run-of-the-mill winos and junkies in this town though? I won't give 'em a penny. "Hey, bra, ya got a dollar?" "Not for you I don't." I work way too damned hard for my money to give it away to losers, I already have the government robbing me blind.

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Eileen, please dont turn this into a racist issue. No one is insulting any races here. If white people were asking for money, it would be the same issue. I find that last post Inappropriate for this topic, it will just start a bunch if nonsense that doesnt need to be braught up. This is about the people asking for money, and hanging out by the food court doors, not a racist thing.

I live in downtown PA after business hours, within sight of the parking lot between the Mall and the Margo Fournier Centre. I can honestly say that the situation is not limited to Aboriginal people. What seems to be missing here is an understanding of the economic and sociological issues that people in this city face. It is easy enough to say to someone "Get a job", However, there is a cruel cycle of gaps in service for the disadvantaged in this city (males between the ages of 15 and 19, for instance) I wouldn't say that there is a sense of racism here. What is in Prince Albert is a case of class-ism; the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. Couple this with an overriding sense of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard), and the system is set up for failure. case in point: In downtown PA, there is the Youth Activity Centre, which provides a safe and positive place for young people on the streets free of charge. A few years ago, a petition was sent around to downtown businesses asking that this place be closed because the people who sent out the petition falsely believed that the troubles downtown were all caused by young people. Last time I looked, the vast majority of the panhandlers in this city were older. You show me a room full of kids playing pool and having a positive good time, and I'll show you a segment of the population that is NOT causing trouble. Fear, ignorance and age old prejudices will be here as long as people allow it. Eileen's comments are a prime example of what needs to change in this society: cure the sickness instead of treating the symptoms. Do not think of the person asking you for change as a blight on society. Remember that this is a human being who has been dealt a bad hand. If you want to give them change, that is your own perogative. Support organizations that help, like the Youth Activity Centre, and the sicknesses of society will begin to heal.

I was sitting in the tim hortons drive thru the other night. A young guy knocked on my window and said "hey bro, do you want to buy a x-box 360 controller?" I said no...then he said "hey bro, can I bum a dollar?"...I said, "no, can I borrow a dollar for coffee?" and he smiled, turned around and walked away. He was dressed in good EXPENSIVE clothes, new mits (the coat wasnt done up, and it was cold out, but they all do that now). These people realize its just a simple and easy way to make money, and the problem is, alot of people fall for it...how do we stop this...JIM?

isn't there by-laws against this as well asa spitting, jaywalking and walking against red lights. let's put the by-law officer on the corner of 12th and central and make hi/her write osme tickets. why should I as a driver have tostop so some idiot can walk across the street against a red light?

I think the Security Guards are there to protect the potato chips.... doesnt look like they do much else.

Oh, PAGuy, you never fail to make me laugh! :)

hello ive been jumped twice by 3 kids had my nose broken once all for my wallet with like 20 bucks in it, every odd time i go somewhere someone needs a smoke or some change this is gross i dont want to be near these people at all one of these times gona get jumped again most of the time its kids who are doing this

by giving money, you enable the behaviour

PanHandling PAYS far better than welfare, or a Decent Job.

think about it... lets say Tim's pays $10/hr. you work a 20hr week. no benefits. then you go to KFC at $10/hr and put in another 20hr week. That is $400 gross. after deductions, what, $325?

Now... sit in front of WalMart with your cup. If one out of every 25 persons gives you a looney, You would probably AVERAGE $20/hr with NO deductions. if you were there 8hours a day, that is $160/day.

$1600/month. to make that Working a legit job, you'd have to make between $25 and $30/hour.

there are guys in S'toon who, by estimates of Social Services, make over $300 per day.

this issue will not end until folks STOP giving money