Photo of $800 found in a homeless man's pockets. (From the Slidell Police Department)
SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) - The Slidell Police Department tackled the issue of homelessness on their Facebook page Friday in a very unapologetic way, highlighting a specific example that happened this week.
"Transients, also known as beggars or homeless, are often a hot topic of debate for Slidell residents. There are people who feel these individuals all need to be arrested. Some feel they should offer help," the post reads. "Literally, every day, someone either calls Slidell Police or sends us a message on Facebook asking us to do something about this problem."
The post then describes one man, 59-year-old Franklin Jones. He reportedly begs at the intersection of Gause and Interstate 10. Police can't arrest Jones because begging isn't a crime, the Facebook post explained.
But on Thursday (May 21), Jones was spotted stumbling into the road, urinating on the side of the road and he stole a shopping cart, police said.
Upon his arrest police found with over $800 in his pockets.
We continue to offer help, but when you can make $800 in less than a week by “begging”, some people say, “Why get a real job?” We’ve found jobs for people. We’ve offered assistance by bringing some of these individuals to rehab facilities. Bottom line is, it’s up to the individual person if they want help or not. All we can do is guide them in the right direction. We can’t force people to do things...
Slidell Police does their best to address these issues by following the letter of the law and ensuring that no one’s rights are violated. There is no easy solution to this problem, and quite frankly, it is a much bigger and deeper issue than a strictly a police matter. We hope this sheds some light for our Slidell residents and hopefully answered any questions or concerns about this issue.
Read the full post below.
Jessica Newberry
He was hustling hardworking people out of their money. I don’t care about his feelings. He has been offered employment before by multiple people and he turned them down. He has also been offered food instead of money and has turned that down too. So, before you judge our department for the post, you should have done more research on the man they arrested first. They didn’t break the law by posting what they posted, so within the law, they were warning residents about giving cash to panhandlers. If they refuse employment and food, they have no interest in your “help”, only your money.
nickofthyme
Good post and point well made!
Ricky Chuter
Is he the rule or the exception. Would you consider that standing for hours each day in the hot sun is working? How many days did it take to get the $800? As Hillary says, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205160077735846&set=a.1310442475443.46069.1062038992&type=3&theater
Michelle
Irresponsible post…now you’re going to have a problem with transient robbery. I guess protect and serve only applies to some citizens.
Casey Nunez
Let me say this, if he had $800 on his person this tells me he is actually legit and saving his money. The broke ones are the ones to watch as they are mostly supporting their addiction, Herion is a huge problem much bigger in fact than most realize. This is the result of the recent crackdown on pain Management Clinics.
Today’s Herion addict is yesterday’s Vicodin addict.
Take away these addict’s only source of satisfying their habit and you can expect to see a alarming spike in crime that you are not ready for.
Mark my words! and leave these people alone.
Better a Begger who asks as opposed to a Burglar’s home invasion hello??
Judy L. Rabalais
Can’t some ordinances prevent beggars from the crowded intersections, citing safety hazards. If they are prohibited from the busy intersections, then they will have to move. Soliciting ” money ” from cars should be outlawed.
guy fussell
We have the same thing here in tenn. If peopie would stop giving them money and give them food .but it is too easy just to give them money than food
Allison
Um, he’s clearly saving his money. Maybe to buy a car or travel or get an apartment. Come on. It’s not like he has a bank. He’s saving his money for something. This police department is disgusting.
Alex
How exactly do they know he made it in less than a week. You also can’t assume that he’s making that much on a regular basis.
Rosa Valdes
I never seen nor read a worst written article. Yes. I have my doubts about homeless who beg at the same spots day after day.
William Bouchie
Saw an episode of 20/20 where they interviewed a guy who made his living that way. He had a house on a beach, three cars, various adult toys (atv’s, dune-buggy, etc.) all bought and paid for out of panhandling. Not one thing, except the house, did he pay a dime in taxes for. He also had 2mil in a bank account. He was working for 5mil before he retires for good. he showed the host two closets of clothes, one filled with Armani suits, the other with grungy work wear. He claims he goes to places like Goodwill to do his shopping. Then he brings them home and antiques them by rubbing them in the dirt and cutting holes in them. The more homeless he looks the better money he makes…
Justin Howard Henderson
It’s really bad when a homeless person is making more money than the average normal person that gets up everyday and makes a honest living.
Sue
How do they know he was homeless? Another poster posted about a story seen on 20/20. When I was in El Paso TXT in the late 80s there was a man doing the same thing. Some people have no shame.
Dawn Cox
Ok another nugget to put in your pipe and smoke it. Public shaming is what defamation of character as well as slander which is also an infringement of rights ultimately decided by a person who is capable legally to answer the question aforementioned in a court of civil law during a class action lawsuit. Stop me if I’m off base but why would a law enforcement establishment post this and what if you could be made an examples just as easily as Frank here he is in cuffs and yes lol that is a smile .a major network is there you are viewing mass admission of lawbreakers of the upper levels of society. I think maybe in a beautiful world the news coverage of 800 in his pocket would be just a drop in the bucket for this dude. Wouldn’t you feel stupid for where your thoughts landed you? Well I believe stupidity could be a key in this theory of mine. Should be nice to lead a life where your so smart I hope if its real it goes to a good charity. Live life! stop cyber bullying #BluePinky #GangUpForGood #MeanStinks whatever you buy it and you knoooow what I mean. Really that’s so messed up. Excellent Newsworthy topics go team
bobbydin
What happened to the $800.00?