Are some of those Olympic panhandlers in Vancouver actually cops?
I saw a new beggar in the neighbourhood this morning. This guy was a tall, wiry Caucasian around 40 years old who looked reasonably well fed.
Call me paranoid, but I had a hunch that he wasn't your normal homeless man wandering the streets of the city.
I'm wondering if we're going to see an onslaught of unfamiliar beggars in Vancouver this month as the city hosts the 2010 Winter Games. And I'm betting that some of these beggars will be carrying a badge.
It's a great way to go undercover and keep an eye on passersby. These "panhandlers" can even carry hidden cameras to record the action.
So the next time you see an unfamiliar beggar on your block over the next month, try engaging him in conversation. Ask if he needs help. Perhaps you might want to offer to take him to McDonald's or to some other restaurant for a cup of coffee and a snack. Better yet, say you'll escort him to a shelter.
If he snaps at you and tells you to get lost in an authoritative tone, well, you just might have stumbled across another police officer.
Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.
Comments
12 Comments
DJ
Feb 8, 2010 at 10:00am
Why would we make our city look bad with "fake beggars..." We have enough already; do you have any proof of this?
miguel
Feb 8, 2010 at 10:18am
Could be an Olympics carpetbagger trying a scam; better to call the cops.
Miguel
Maurice Cardinal
Feb 8, 2010 at 11:13am
My neighborhood is full of NEW street people. They've been intimdated and pushed out of the DTES and have to go elsewhere.
Over the last couple of months I see small groups congregating at night near large stores like Safeway. They stay togther until the cops roust them and they they move individually to smaller store alcoves for the rest of the night.
I've also seen a few fights between binners and residents in alleys. Not pretty.
BTW, if you think a street person is a cop, ask to take their picture for a loonie. If they say no, you'll have your answer.
Kam Lee
Feb 8, 2010 at 1:31pm
I was at the anti HST rally in Vancouver. I took seven pictures of security, as well as undercover police. I was apporoached and was ask what my busness it was to take pictures? I took another one of him... he ran off. I suspect he was a mountie. I will be at all the events that I can get to. The free ones, because I cannot afford the real show. It will be interesting to see who I take pictures of. Look at the hair, as well as the shoes. Tell-tale signs of 1984 here now.
Think So
Feb 8, 2010 at 2:15pm
One very clean and well dressed pan handler outside a photocopy shop this morning. One one knee ready to pounce, not a typical pan handling stance. . . But didn't have time to confirm.
Hey for a billion they could have cops looking over your shoulder at every copy shop in the city. Running a police state is expensive, but a billion is a lot of money.
SeanS
Feb 8, 2010 at 5:38pm
This is ludicrous.
"Perhaps you might want to offer to take him to McDonald's or to some other restaurant for a cup of coffee and a snack. Better yet, say you'll escort him to a shelter. If he snaps at you and tells you to get lost in an authoritative tone, well, you just might have stumbled across another police officer."
Yes: So any beggar that refuses my offer of McDonald's food or doesn't want to be escorted to a shelter MUST be a cop. Give me a break.
sean
Feb 8, 2010 at 6:24pm
ask if you can help them to the sally ann too!
Andrew
Feb 8, 2010 at 9:05pm
Charlie, you are a propaganda machine... However, in this case you are probably right. Tentatively, how dare cops dress up as the homeless. The homeless have enough problems as it without the RCMP further ruining their reputation.
rebx
Feb 8, 2010 at 11:24pm
Quick question: who gives a sh*t if cops are undercover to ensure someone doesn't attack you or the other fine people in our city? Seriously... tell me how this is harmful in ANY way. Your sense of righteousness does not weigh more heavily than the lives and safety of the general public. Sorry to pop that inflated head.
RodSmelser
Feb 9, 2010 at 8:48am
In Oliver Stone's film JFK, Dist Att Jim Garrison's suspicions are further aroused by photos of "hobos" picked up by the Dallas police. They appear a little scruffy at first glance, but closer examination of the photos shows newish shoes, good haircuts, well kept teeth, no real holes in the pants, etc.
Rod Smelser