Spare Change Guy Among the Worst of Vagrants in Boston

There is nothing charming about Spare Change Guy, despite the tone of the recent publicity surrounding his arrest.  He is dirty, obnoxious, and a menace to public safety.  He obstructs traffic by begging in the middle of the road, interferes with people walking on the sidewalk by swinging his arms wildly around, and frightens people with his disturbed visage (here's a tame example) and confrontational manner.  Also, apparently he has no respect for authority.  I'm glad the police arrested him and I hope they keep it up.  What he needs is a nice little jail term.

Before he makes someone run him over and sues them for all they're worth.

Comments

[Anti-prejudice]

Just for your information, Mr. Bigot, most people in Boston respect (or ignore) the guy. You need to open your mind or just kill yourself, your choice.

[Dave]

Mr. Anti-prejudice: How can you possibly say that most people in Boston respect a public nuisance who harasses a large portion of the population? Toleration is one thing - but respect? Do you really respect someone who has a residence (his address is reported in the article) and a means of transportation (Framingham to Boston is $12 round trip on commuter rail), but insists on badgering people in the streets for spare change?

"Open your mind or just kill yourself" - now there is some real respect.

[carpundit]

Mr. Bigot?
Kill myself?
That's not the way an open-minded Brookline liberal is supposed to speak. Tolerance is tolerance - you're supposed to extend it even to those with whom you disagree.

[Mark]

"Open-minded...liberal" is pretty much an oxymoron these days.

[jeff]

He should only get as much tolerance and respect as he earns, which right now is none.

If he stays out of the road and stops yelling in the park, I'll tolerate him.

If he gets some manners (and maybe a job), I'd respect him. And no, begging people on their way to and from work isn't a job.

[su student]

I do not see how someone could possibly respect, or even tolerate a man who has sexually harassed my girlfriend on a regular basis and frightens persons who are simply trying to go to class or a place of employment.

[B. Cote]

Respect him? Like freaking hell they do. He's a lousy drunk (as opposed to one you'd have sympathy for). He's a pervert. I've made the mistake of giving him money, more than once. The last time, he grabbed me and kissed me, right on the lips and asked me if I'd date and have sex with him.

[B. Cote]

PS, I don't mind half way reasonable people begging for change, as long as they aren't aggressive about it.