If you’ve never been to San Francisco, then you aren’t aware of the homeless population but there is someone asking for money or handouts on every corner in the downtown area of SF. If you’re around Moscone, Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf then it’s guaranteed that you won’t walk 1 block without being offered directions or assistance for cash. It’s very sad to see individuals “living on the streets” but the unfortunate thing is that nearly half of these people aren’t homeless and support themselves by asking for money from tourists.The first year that I attended Macworld San Francisco (2004), I gave a dollar to every person that asked and easily wasted about 100 dollars that week. Don’t do it if you’re asked for money. There are two times when I had to defend myself while in San Francisco and figured that these stories needed to be told.
In 2005, I was walking north on Taylor St (The Tenderloin) from a club off 7th and Market and it was about 2:30AM. There were three homeless guys sitting on the corner under blankets and as I passed, they started rustling around so I took my headphones out and put them in my pocket and put my car key between my fingers. One of the bigger guys got up and said, “What’s up cracker?” He stepped in front of me and the 2 other guys stood up too. He then said, “you’re not in Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood no more white boy.” He then started to grab me, I stepped to the side and punched him in the face and kicked him as he hit the ground. The other two guys started laughing at him as he lay there and I ran away.
Another instance was in 2006 when I was out on a “date” with a girl that I just met in SF. We were leaving a club and a guy was walking alongside us asking for money. He was in our face begging for money. I stopped at the end of that block and said, “we’re going to cross the street now. If you cross too there’s going to be a problem.” He blew it off and crossed with us. When we got to the other side of the street and passing a Walgreens, he starting putting his finger in my face about me going to Hell so I grabbe him and bent him over a newspaper stand and put both of my fingers in his eyes and asked that he kindly stop before I retain him until the police arrive. He promised to stop and I then left but was extremely scared that he would follow us and continue so I called the cops and walked into a diner until they arrived and took him to jail.
Keep in mind that both instances happened after midnight in areas of town that I shouldn’t be hanging out but there are some bad people out there and they’re very persistent when begging for money. Please be careful when you’re in SF. If it’s late, hail a cab that drops you off directly in front of your hotel or travel in groups instead of walking alone. if someone suspicious is following you then don’t hesitate to call SFPD. Be safe out there and don’t give money to the homeless.
