Thank goodness Dale wasn't also using a monopod, or he'd be placed on double secret probation.

couldn't the sender file harassment charges against this clown? i sure would.
and it sounds like his supervisor is a willing witness to the whole thing.

what possible justification in any legal sense could he have had to even ask for his ID, let alone follow/stalk him?

By standing, did he mean panhandling? Just curious.

I hate it when panhandlers stand outside the door of a store I am going in to. I find panhandling degrading to those who practice it and disrespectful to the people being solicited for money.

I think there should be strong public education campaigns to educate people to not give to panhandlers.

He would have needed the Security guard to identify himself. By law they are suppose to give their DSP number(licence to carry a fire arm). Often the Downtown security guards refuse to identify themselves and threaten people with ordinances, such as title 14 or the anti-camping ordinance which are not legally applicable to the situation.
Many of the downtown security guards are retired police officers who are very familiar with using intimidation tactics and rely on the average person being unaware of what their rights are.

"Some Guy",
as someone who was homeless at one point, I must say, from my personal experience very few people set out to be homeless, or to panhandle...
I would suggest that if people feel(as I do) that we should not have people sleeping on the sidewalk, that they should be willing to advocate for people to have housing... and if you dont like the idea that people have to panhandle for money, then I would suggest you advocate for living wage jobs.
in Portland's downtown core we are about 2,000 low income housing units short of what City Council feels is needed, the rest of the city has a similar shortfall. we are also desperatly underpaid as a city compared to our median income. I cant recall the exact details, but I think its like 17,000 a year for minimum wage and 55,000 a year for a median income... good luck affording a reasonable place to live in Portland on 17k a year...

Mr. Nolan,

I appreciate your thoughtful response to my comments.

I agree with you that people do not typically "choose" to be homeless. And, as I think about your comments, I realize you are correct that many panhandlers are homeless. For many, therefore, panhandling is not a choice but rather a necessity for survival.

However, based on my observations, I believe many who panhandle are not homeless. Many do choose to panhandle. This fact reflects a serious lack of good values in our society: that panhandling is a lifestyle choice for many, and that many American's view this as acceptable, or at least they are uncritical of which class of panhandler they choose to give money to.

Homelessness and the general social dysfunctions that cause homelessness in our society are a serious problem. We should focus our efforts on systemic reforms that would begin to "cure" us of this problem. Giving money to panhandlers is probably not the best way to help homeless people anyways. Giving to local charities who can offer services beyond just food is probably better.

As far as whether a person can live off of $17,000 a year, I believe the answer is yes (although barely). Cheap studio apartments run about $450 a month. With two incomes, a couple can afford a one bedroom. Food isn't so expensive (yet?) that one cannot afford to live off of $200. $650/month x 12 months = $7,800. In my estimation, a person can live off of $17,000 a year. I have probably done it, myself.

Wages, rents and lack of affordable housing are not so much the problems we face. Rather, the main problems we face are ignorance and social dysfunction generally. At least, that is my opinion. But, then again, I always had food and a place to live.

what will it take to get this f*&^king jerk of
a wannebe-copster fired? Oh, wait just a
minute on that! He probably WAS a cop and
now after retirement is working for this
company of Blackwater-wannabes, and he'll
be "protected" by Robert King and his gang
of thugs. It'd be waste of time then to
ask that he be fired...ain't gonna happen!
So, what can we do...????

I've seen this guy moving people along before. Never heard what he was saying to them, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying himself.

to Some Guy, Your ignorance is really showing. I suggest you see what it is like for a lot of people who face this reality EVERY day. First, if you can find a cheap studio(Whoops, I forgot, they are disappearing faster that they get built, sorry), then you pay half of your monthly income to keep it. never mind buying the other things you need to keep that low wage job, like food, clothing, transportation. And don't DARE get sick, no money for doc or meds. And heaven forbib if you need meds on a regular basis, cause you're sool.