Would you call the police if...

ajarvis · 14-Oct-07, 12:55 PM

someone broke into your place and stole food and nothing else?

14-Oct-07, 01:09 PM

Don't call the police on me . . . I promise not to do it again.

I like in a gentrified area near downtown, an area with more petty crime. I have had my car broken into 3 times in 2 years and my home has been the target of graffiti thugs many times.

I believe that all crime should be reported just for it to get into the statistics which I believe the police departments review in making patrol decisions. I report all crime as petty as it may be.

So to answer your question, yes.

ajarvis · 14-Oct-07, 01:18 PM

That's an interesting point about statistics.

See I wouldn't call the police cause it makes me think that maybe they really are good person, but feel they have no other option. If they're only stealing food then maybe they just need to eat. I think I'd feel bad if I called the cops and they ended up actually catching the person and that persons would have even more problems.

14-Oct-07, 02:02 PM

Good people don't steal food - they ask for help. And real help, not asking for a dollar to go buy a pack of cigarettes or another bottle of alcohol.

ajarvis · 14-Oct-07, 10:39 PM

True true. Here there are so many people asking for money and you know they're buying crack or alcohol. The unemployment rate is like 2% or less! I did give money to one guy who said he was working and had a wife and kids, but couldn't find permanent lodging and was spending his money on temporary places. That to me could ring true cause we do have a housing shortage here. The vacancy rate is insanely low, but he is the one and only person I've given money to since moving out here!

gcs118 · 14-Oct-07, 10:48 PM

If they catch whoever did it....free meals in jail!!

14-Oct-07, 11:56 PM

Amanda, my experience is that people will give money to a "beggar" as it is a quick way to buy immediate relief and silence from a continued and persistent request. Some people do feel guilty. They may have a family member who struggles with drug addiction or alcoholism and giving money to someone may make them momentarily feel good about something that is troubling them about a family member. I am not suggesting that is your case. But, based on my experiences (and I have daily experiences based on where I live), it is misguided charity.

I no longer give money to homeless people or buy them food. My home is next to a church where homeless frequently congregate. I have prepared a hot meal and given it to a couple of homeless people on a paper plate along with a bottle of water, but only after I have "qualified" them. I've invited some homeless into my home for a family meal and conversation, a human touch. That is what they need most. And prayer.

I have drifted from your original question, sorry.

**.V.** · 15-Oct-07, 01:03 PM

I probably wouldn't. But the only time I've ever had to deal with that, it was at the lake house in winter...they broke in, took food, used the heat, and left money behind.

There have been plenty of times that I've "taken in strays" though. People having a hard time who needed a meal or two. A place to sleep for a few nights. One even stayed a year until she got onto her feet. Coming soon...another stray if I can't find her somewhere better. What the hell, I've got an extra room and she doesn't eat much.

Besides Pam would have been very ashamed of me if I'd not helped someone in need, especially with food or a place to sleep. She insisted that we help anyone that we were able. I'll continue to do the same.

So no, I wouldn't call the police over missing food.

But then again, it takes a lot of food to keep me going...they'd better not take too much.

Merrida · 15-Oct-07, 05:54 PM

If someone broke into our house I don't think they'd make it to the back of the house where the kitchen is to steal food. B&E is still B&E. But you all make some valid points. I think I'd have to side with pierini on this one. It's too creepy to think about.

The difference is: Helping someone I know is in trouble, needs a meal, isn't buying booze or crack, is having a tough time,...sure, I'll help them out. But if they commit a crime to get into my domain,....they won't do it again. Sorry, just me.

ajarvis · 16-Oct-07, 10:16 PM

I rarely give money to people on the street! Have done it twice in the past few years. I do however give to the food bank, and different charities. I also like to participate in the feed a family program at Christmas. Where you get a family and a list of who is in the family - I think with the kids you get some sort of letter to Santa too - and then get people to donate to that family. That IMO is money better spent then the bum on the street. It's always been arranged by others at my old job so this year I'm going to see if I can arrange it.

Merrida · 24-Oct-07, 03:09 PM

I think that's the key on how you can tell when/how someone truly wants/needs help. The "bums on the street" are only wanting cash, which always leads me to believe that's because they're looking for a drug fix or want booze or butts. If you offer them a meal, they won't take it. I've done that before, and it's like a private little assessment (a former employer of mine taught me that, and got me into offering that if I wanted to help someone out).

I also learned the hard way on one of my trips to Mexico how people will procreate excessively despite not being able to afford having a family of 9 kids, and then USE the kids as pawns to tug at our heart strings. Someone had told me before my first trip down to expect to see them camped outside the hotels and tourist areas, and to be aware,.....apparently some of these people begging for money make quite a good living off people with heart strings.

I'm not suggesting this is isolated via country, by the way, I was just sharing a personal experience (before anyone wants to have a go at me for unfairly categorizing,....not my intent at all).