Buffalo's violent panhandlers

[ChaneysGotaGun]

Ever been accosted by a supposed homeless panhander?

If you've spent any time downtown, you know how persistent, annoying and dangerous these people can be.

It's too bad that these street urchins, much like a foot-in-the-door, bible-thumping holy roller, cannot take "no" for an answer. I have no sympathy for their plight, especially after reading a news article about the guy who clears $900 a week by sitting in front of the Convention Center shaking down businessmen, and clueless soccer moms. Others troll the Chip strip hoping to quarry drunken suburban college kids.

As for Mr. Hicks, I have a quick .40 cal. solution for someone attempting to bash my head in with a chain.

Sigh...I guess I'll await the response that society is responsible for them being homeless.



Bflo News:

"Steven D. Hicks, a notorious Buffalo panhandler, today was sentenced to state prison for the next three years.

Erie County Judge Shirley Troutman ordered him to state prison for attacking an Allentown bar patron with a chain and padlock last spring when victim refused to give him any money.

The 50-year-old Hicks, who has a history of previous violent incidents and prison terms for two earlier assaults in 1981 and 1994, declined comment as the judge warned him against any further such assaultive behavior after prison.

Hicks has been jailed since his arrest minutes after the early morning attack outside Nietzsche's bar about 1:30 a.m. May 15.

Prosecutors Sarah A. Filocamo and Lauren Tamparo said Hicks was arrested in Days Park near the bar minutes after he beat a bar patron on the head, causing a wound that took 16 stitches to close after that man refused to give him money outside the bar.

Hicks, whose last known address was on East Tupper Street, pleaded guilty to a second-degree assault charge for the latest incident."

[run4it]

I've lived in the area for the past 9 years, and frequented all of the night spots through Chippewa, Allentown and Elmwood. Also I work downtown and frequently walk or ride my bike around. NEVER have I been assaulted, and rarely does a person bother me after I've said 'no' once (I can think of twice where they persisted).

But I'm sure that assaults by poor/homeless NEVER happens in suburbs....

[FisherRd]

Have you ever seen a panhandler in the burbs? I can't recall ever having seen one. Outside of the Galleria Mall I can't think of one other place that would have enough foot traffic to even make panhandling worth it, can you?

[Surfing USA]

[COLOR="Blue"]Hicks, whose last known address was on East Tupper Street...Where does the "Snooze" get their information from? I'm coming up with an address on Johnson Park - one street away from the scene of the crime.

What happened to the good-ol'-days when us panhandlers used to beat people who refused to donate with our fists? :(

[run4it]

Have you ever seen a panhandler in the burbs? I can't recall ever having seen one. Outside of the Galleria Mall I can't think of one other place that would have enough foot traffic to even make panhandling worth it, can you?
Now that you mention it, I have seen people panning at the mall (though hurried along quickly by security). Also at some strip malls in Amherst area.

[Genoobie]

I was at circuit city on NFB when a panhandler accosted me and asked for $20.

Run4it, I share the same experience, many years of attending events all over Buffalo, never a problem, once I say "no, thanks" or "sorry don't have it", I never have any problem thereafter.

[FisherRd]

Also at some strip malls in Amherst area.


Ah, the Northtowns. That explains everything.

I thought you had more class than to wander up there?

[run4it]

Ah, the Northtowns. That explains everything.

I thought you had more class than to wander up there?
I live in the city. I thought you held all city-dwellers in general contempt?

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

Forget the crime reports. Two memebers on Speakup have never been attacked. The city is safe!

[Save Us]

As a resident I have never been acosted in the city,, but then again I am over 6 foot and 225 pounds and bench about 400 lbs so maybe if I was like Run, I would have something to worry about:) :) :)

Usually I am with my shepherd anyway so.....

PS just kiddin Run,, you avatar looks like you could kick A. :eek:

Ps I also like living in the city...to commit suicide in the suburbs would be redundant!

[FisherRd]

I live in the city. I thought you held all city-dwellers in general contempt?


No. I consider the City to be neutral territory. The buffer between the North and South.

The northtowners are the real enemy.

[Surfing USA]

No. I consider the City to be neutral territory. The buffer between the North and South.

The northtowners are the real enemy.Just like the Civil War, the north is superior.

The fact that we have more malls and strip plazas makes us a super power. :p

[ChaneysGotaGun]

Have you ever seen a panhandler in the burbs? I can't recall ever having seen one. Outside of the Galleria Mall I can't think of one other place that would have enough foot traffic to even make panhandling worth it, can you?

Unlike the City, the suburbs enforce those seemingly petty quality of life issues, that if left unchecked develop into bigger problems.

A one legged guy with a sign claiming to be a vet was stationed at the entrance/exit to Home Depot/Walmart on NF Blvd. Four out of 10 cars awaiting the signal light handed him money- all bills, not coin. Add that up over 8 hours and it's not a bad little score.

[run4it]

Forget the crime reports. Two memebers on Speakup have never been attacked. The city is safe!
Crime reports? The only actual "report" I've seen on panhandler crime was the one article originally posted here. So that's two of us who haven't experienced violent panhandlers, one who has, and a whole lot of uninformed bigmouths cheering from the peanut gallery.

[FisherRd]

Is the SuperFlea in Cheektawarsa still around? I could picture a few panhandlers there as well.

Surfin,
We have the beaches, the skiing, less traffic, less strip malls, and of course, me.
You guys have Steiny, Zanna, and dumbfounded. Any questions?
So, when are you moving?

[Effigy]

A one legged guy with a sign claiming to be a vet was stationed at the entrance/exit to Home Depot/Walmart on NF Blvd. Four out of 10 cars awaiting the signal light handed him money- all bills, not coin. Add that up over 8 hours and it's not a bad little score.

He is there quite often.

[Effigy]

Surfin,
We have the beaches, the skiing, less traffic, less strip malls, and of course, me.
You guys have Steiny, Zanna, and dumbfounded. Any questions?
So, when are you moving?

DF lives in N. Buffalo IIRC. Steiny is an automaton, so doesn't count. That leaves us with Rosanne Rosannadanna. The Southtowns however, have VegasDude and a plague of rabid soccer moms in SUVs who will turn left in front of you at the drop of a hat.

[Surfing USA]

DF lives in N. Buffalo IIRC. Steiny is an automaton, so doesn't count. That leaves us with Rosanne Rosannadanna. The Southtowns however, have VegasDude and a plague of rabid soccer moms in SUVs who will turn left in front of you at the drop of a hat.Actually, Rosanne Rosannadanna lives in Lackawanna, so that would make her a southerner. ;)

Plus, she used to live near "Georgia." Just more proof she's a southerner.

[Ms.Depew.to.you]

I was enjoying some beverages last week on an Elmwood patio. One beggar took our "no" nicely and moved on. Another guy, who we were pointedly ignoring, kept getting louder and more obnoxious until I told him he was interrupting a conversation. I've got to give him points for honestly--he wanted to buy a 40 at We Never Close. :rolleyes:

[gorja]

Originally posted by ChaneysGotagun:
Buffalo's violent panhandlers
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Ever been accosted by a supposed homeless panhander?

If you've spent any time downtown, you know how persistent, annoying and dangerous these people can be.

It's too bad that these street urchins, much like a foot-in-the-door, bible-thumping holy roller, cannot take "no" for an answer. I have no sympathy for their plight, especially after reading a news article about the guy who clears $900 a week by sitting in front of the Convention Center shaking down businessmen, and clueless soccer moms. Others troll the Chip strip hoping to quarry drunken suburban college kids.

As for Mr. Hicks, I have a quick .40 cal. solution for someone attempting to bash my head in with a chain.

Sigh...I guess I'll await the response that society is responsible for them being homeless.



Bflo News:

"Steven D. Hicks, a notorious Buffalo panhandler, today was sentenced to state prison for the next three years.

Erie County Judge Shirley Troutman ordered him to state prison for attacking an Allentown bar patron with a chain and padlock last spring when victim refused to give him any money.

The 50-year-old Hicks, who has a history of previous violent incidents and prison terms for two earlier assaults in 1981 and 1994, declined comment as the judge warned him against any further such assaultive behavior after prison.

Hicks has been jailed since his arrest minutes after the early morning attack outside Nietzsche's bar about 1:30 a.m. May 15.

Prosecutors Sarah A. Filocamo and Lauren Tamparo said Hicks was arrested in Days Park near the bar minutes after he beat a bar patron on the head, causing a wound that took 16 stitches to close after that man refused to give him money outside the bar.

Hicks, whose last known address was on East Tupper Street, pleaded guilty to a second-degree assault charge for the latest incident."


Why only a 3 year sentence for a 3rd - second degree assault? I would consider a chain and padlock being swung at me a deadly weapon.
IMO--It just seems like a light sentence.
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[MERL J]

Where does the "Snooze" get their information from? I'm coming up with an address on Johnson Park - one street away from the scene of the crime.

What happened to the good-ol'-days when us panhandlers used to beat people who refused to donate with our fists? :(

One street away from the crime is Days Park, Johnson Park is closer to Chippewa in the West Village.

Maybe you might have seen the article about the man who was accosted in front of the Graystone, a vacant structure owned by Carl Paladino. The address there is 24 Johnson Park.

[HipKat]

You guys don't know homeless, unless you lived in L.A.

[Surfing USA]

One street away from the crime is Days Park, Johnson Park is closer to Chippewa in the West Village.

Maybe you might have seen the article about the man who was accosted in front of the Graystone, a vacant structure owned by Carl Paladino. The address there is 24 Johnson Park.My mistake. For some reason I thought it was Chippewa St.

[ChaneysGotaGun]

No one knows how many panhandlers attack people because BPD doesn't release that information. Doesn't anyone follow the news?

[kableguy]

Have you ever seen a panhandler in the burbs? I can't recall ever having seen one. Outside of the Galleria Mall I can't think of one other place that would have enough foot traffic to even make panhandling worth it, can you?
Has anyone seen the older fella at French Rd. @ Transit Rd. by K-Mart. Kinda looks like Santa. He usally holds a sign that says will work for food.:(

[Save Us]

Why only a 3 year sentence for a 3rd - second degree assault? I would consider a chain and padlock being swung at me a deadly weapon.
IMO--It just seems like a light sentence.
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Mr. Padlock guy was lucky somebody with a pistol permit or an off duty cop did not bust a cap in his a**