bebalm

I keep reading how agressive the panhandlers are. How true is this? I am cool with some homeless...as long as I don't feel threatened. On another travel website a poster spent a lot of time/space warning of the extreme occurence of pickpockets. Of course these are present in any big city/tourist area. But are they just EVERYWHERE like this person made it sound...or was she just a bit paranoid?

GP

Hi bebalm

In the last 4 weeks I have been to San Francisco twice on business. Once for 4 days the other time for 5 days. First trip(s) ever staying in the city. The first trip I stayed at the Crown Plaza just off Union Square. I was expecting a lot worse than the reality. There we street people around union square and the financial district, but not to the magnitude I was led to believe. The second trip I stayed in the Hotel Whitcomb (Civic center Ramada) and in that area it was scary. A lot of homeless and mentally ill folks but no one was ever aggressive towards me. I am gong back down for another week at the end of June staying at the Sir Francis Drake. If you stay away from the civic center at night I think you’ll be ok. I am male, 54 years old and had no problem walking alone at night in the union square area (a few blocks on either side) but I took the Bart back to the civic center because could exit right to the door of my hotel. I did not want to take that walk up Market in the dark better safe than sorry. I travel a bit and usually aware of my surroundings. I had no problems with pickpockets. My opinion about San Francisco has change 100%. I wish I could talk the wife into coming down but she is not a city person.

Have Fun
GP

FainaAgain

I am a female of "certain age" walk and use public transportation, with or without my husband.

I think the reason for negative posts is that people who come from small towns don't expect to see what they see. Another reason, the usual tourist attractions are magnets for homeless people.

I was never threatened, but I watch my purse all the time, and don't allow anybody to follow me - step aside and let pass.

Yes, I am asked for spare change, just say "no, thank you" and keep walking.

I wonder what exactly posters mean by "agressive"?

Bebalm, I strongly suggest you post where you're going to stay, so we can advise on the safety of the area, if you haven't done so already.

valeriesgallery

I have a member of my extended family who suffered a head injury and claims that she'd be homeless if a certain family branch didn't help out. I thought that was ridiculous a few years ago, but now I think it might be true. She is extremely argumentative and doesn't understand some,and sometimes, most, of what people are saying to her, either that or her interpretation of what she says comes out all wrong. Her arguments make people very uncomfortable.

In SF, I give the change from Walgreens as I leave the store, an apple, or my dinner leftovers to the homeless. I don't know why they are homeless. I have confidence in them. I believe in helping people. BUT, like Faina, I do stop and let people walk by, there is NO need to put up with C*** (rhymes with trap) from people. I don't help people who are aggressive or up late at night on my way to the hotel. (also we have to consider those who are on drugs that change the makeup of their brains, and be very careful)Everywhere in the world things happen. We just have to learn about those things, be confident, be kind (unless required to not be), and be aware. Be safe bebalm.

WFT

Having been in SF this past weekend, I saw some homeless folks. There were a few in Golden Gate park just hanging out and not bothering anyone. I saw one "watering" the plants near the botanical gardens, but nature called and he answered. Only one person wanted money, but just held up a cup and said nothing. As a woman, I would not walk around any area alone at night, but in SF I'd worry about out-of-town drivers before I worried about the homeless.

J_Correa

I agree that the extreme reports from people about homelessness are probably from people who are from smaller towns where homelessness isn't an issue so they are shocked. Also, I think there is a perception that SF is different from say NYC or Chicago, so they don't expect the same urban issues.

I've been to SF more times than I can count and never felt threatened by the homeless and never felt the need to take more than the average precautions about pickpockets.

marilynl

I am in SF every three years for a major convention and feel that the street people have multiplied over the years. I find walking in the lower Market Street area unpleasant. When I say panhandlers are aggressive, I mean they DON'T respect a "no" or "sorry," instead responding with sarcasm, etc. Once I was forced to stop at a light and there was too much traffic to proceed against the light--a man continued hectoring me for the whole time I was trapped on that corner. And no, I am not from a small town and am very familiar with many cities, including the one I live in, Chicago.

Gekko

I am a New Yorker and unfortunately see homeless people every day.

Yes, some of the homeless individuals in certain areas of San Francisco are much more aggressive than the homeless in New York. They get in your face and demand charity.

Just step around them and keep moving. In my experience they are not dangerous, just aggressive panhandlers.


(I, too, have only encountered these rude individuals in the Union Square/Soma areas of San Francisco.)

J_Correa

I didn't mean to imply that everyone who is bothered by or notices the homeless are from small towns, just that I suspect those with the extreme reactions probably are.

scorrell

I was just in SF, staying in Union Square and have to report that one homeless woman was VERY agressive to my partner, pushing her when she said "no" to a request for money. Even then, the homeless woman followed her, grabbing her. I finally threatened to call the police and she (the homeless woman) ran away. We went in to a coffee shop (around 6 am) and when we came out, this same person came back towards us. I yelled at her and she ran away. The whole thing was very disturbing. For the record, I lived in the SF Bay Area for 6 years and grew up in Houston, so I am no stranger to cities and their problems. This can happen anywhere, but SF is one of the places where you do have to be careful. And, as others have noted, Union Square probably has more of a problem than many other areas.

bebalm

that is good to hear. I am from a smallish sized southern town, but do expect to see some homeless in larger towns. I am prepared to see some...that happens in any city of size. But some posters made it sound like i needed to be panicked. I am always very cautious about my surroundings(even at home) and i will be likewise during travel. We will be staying in Fisherman's Wharf at the Tuscan Inn. I think this is a relatively safe area...right?

ElendilPickle

>>We will be staying in Fisherman's Wharf at the Tuscan Inn. I think this is a relatively safe area...right?<<

You'll be fine - just watch out for the Bushman.

Lee Ann