NIT – A poll of NIT readers shows that most people would ignore a homeless person who needs help.
NIT readers were asked recently the question “If you encountered a homeless person here in North Iowa, what would you do?” Each visitor was allowed only one vote in the poll.
Most voters – 43 – said they would ignore the person and mind their own business; a common technique to make sure the homeless get the point that you refuse to get involved in their struggles. Many people have learned that the homeless are not always what they appear to be; the person could be a scam artist, or even law enforcement performing a sting operation.
About half that number – 22 – said they would, however, stop and ask if they could help. We saw a North Iowa woman recently do just that in Mason City. The elderly lady attempted to lecture a supposed homeless man, and direct him away from his perch near Kmart and Pizza Hut on 4th SW, but as soon as she drove away, the man picked up where he left off on his panhandling.
A small number – 9- said they would toss change in that person’s direction. Sometimes that works if you are frightened of the homeless and need a brief distraction to escape the encounter. There’s nothing like a few coins rolling in opposite directions on the pavement to send a bum scampering while you prance away as if society’s problems are not your own.
A larger number of folks – 13 – responded to the poll question by answering that they would “Callously yell ‘Get a job!'” at the needy individual. This is a common response from the tired, working proletariate who scrimp by on the near-homeless wages paid by many Mason City employers. In justifying the nasty response to the down-and-out, they may think “I work ten hour days for $7.50 an hour to make ends meet, and this bum has given up and wants free cash. Ain’t gonna happen today.”
Surprisingly, the smallest response – 2 – said they would show the bum religion. Maybe people have turned away from God as their own situations seem more hopeless and feel this option would be equally fruitless for the cold, hungry, roofless vagrant.
I dont use drugs anyway, I stay away from them
I had a brain injury when I was 2, Im going to worry that I will become of them homeless. my family is poor so I dont know to do anything about it but try kill myself. Goodbye world. 🙁
…haven’t a clue as to what should be done in these cases! Talked with a man in Des Moines, standing by the side of the road with his dog, and he told me the “presence” of the dog “made” him an extra $200 per day! In the past I have given rides to people hitch-hiking…Handed out a few bucks for a meal here and there (have no idea what the money was eventually used for)…but in the end having a “viable” job might be the only answer!
I have stopped at times. But if I see someone with a dog, or smoking I don’t offer help. They can’t take care of themselves let alone a pet and if they can get cigarettes somehow, then I think it might be a scam, or just panhandling. I have offered times some food, of a few dollars, and the number to the homeless shelter and crisis intervention centers. It’s sad.
I’d throw something at them, such as a job application or bar of soap.
I am appalled. There are as many reasons for homelessness as there are people. I was the Founding Co-President of Mason City’s first homeless shelter.
Would it surprise you that most of them were Veteran’s ? Many others suffered from a variety of Mental Illnesses? And, they needed a hand up – not a hand out to get back on track, get signed up for Vet’s benefits, proper meds etc
Christ said, the poor will always be with. I would rather show compassion, then judge. By the grace of…