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Taru

Points: 762, Level: 14

Activity: 100%

What do you think of the beggars in helsinki? I think it is horrible that the city cannot do anything about it. It was said today in the newspaper that there is no reason for the government to "criminalize" the begging because it would still not get the beggars out of the city and the country. I think the only solution is to stop giving them money Anyhow, it is sad that they keep their own children in bad shape and use them as an "decoration" for the poor setting. It feels horrible in what shape they seem to be, but you have to think further - this will never end if you keep helping. 8/

will1978

Points: 825, Level: 15

Activity: 0%

I was a tourist in Finland once. I remember seeing some beggars on the streets of Helsinki. May I ask... Taru... are you Suomi? and... Are these beggars foreigners? Did they commit crimes?
Thanks.

Taru

Points: 762, Level: 14

Activity: 100%

I think it is unfair to bring your child without clothes on the streets to look like you need more money. And your child has his/her clothes in some bag but not ON the child. I also think that it is very offensive of you to hint that I feel like this because I were to be a racist. Welcome.

Taru

Points: 762, Level: 14

Activity: 100%

And one more thing: Some research has shown that in other capitals or big cities in europe this culture has started with begging on the streets and has grown into begging at someones door an led to crimes being comitted as a result of not getting any more money on the streets anymore. And the reason for not getting money on the streets later on is that people have gotten used to see the beggers all the time and don´t take notice of them anymore.

will1978

Points: 825, Level: 15

Activity: 0%

Hi Taru,

I didn't mean to be offensive or meant to hint anything. Sorry to make you uncomfortable. And I just want to know what is going on, that's all and I'm not here for any judgment. I like Finland and I'm interested in what's happening, so thanks for your clarifying. I slightly know there are some complex about foreigners for some of Finns, and I'm trying to understand more. Your explanation reminds me shouldn't put it this way but focusing on what is the fact. I think you're right about this viewpoint. Again, sorry making you uncomfortable.

By the way, I guess these bums are not likely to be Finns... because you have good social welfare system. How could they keep staying in Finland? Shouldn't their VISA be due?

William

Truecanadian

Points: 617, Level: 12

Activity: 0%

We have the same problem with begging in our streets here in Toronto. The problem is that small crimes are commited that eventually lead to bigger issues.

Drug and alcohol abuse among our homeless is very rampant. Plus some are MI or are aggressive in nature.

Our city has tryed to help and poured a lot of money into helping but it can be like putting gasoline on the fire.

drummerac

Points: 1,512, Level: 22

Activity: 100%

I have travelled to FInland regularly for the past few years, and I never saw beggars until Romania joined the EU. Now I see them all the time, the beggars in Helsink that I see are all Roma gipsies.

They cause quite alot of concern here in Ireland especially when they beg beside ATM machines or at bus queues, sometimes they breastfeed their children while begging to get more sympathy. Believe you me, they are not penniless or starving.

A bunch of them camped out close to the main motorway (in terrible conditions) in Dublin to extort accomodation from the government, thank god that plan failed because it later emerged that the Mafia was involved. The Mafia were using the first wave as a test; if the first bunch were given benefits, the Mafia was prepared to send in thousands more to extort benefits which would go to organised crime.

Here are some links:

BreakingNews.ie: Archives :2007-07-24

Ambassador accuses Roma family of misleading public - National News, Breaking News - Independent.ie

Up to 70 Roma agree to be repatriated to Romania - Editorial, Opinion - Independent.ie

Most generous countries: The Lippard Blog: Most generous countries

Snow

Here is another link which was published today in Helsingin Sanomat:

Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - Metro

T-bag

Points: 2,297, Level: 28

Activity: 44%

I think these kind of problem in all the capitals of all countries , but its really bad things as Taru said when they make their children look so poor and specially now in winter time with lil clothes any way I think the social organisation should take care of this specially now in Helsinki they are not so big number of beggar