 | Beggars, homeless & junkies, Vancouver |
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Beggars, homeless & junkies, Vancouver
All about Vancouver:  You'll see the squeegee guys on some intersections by Ann75 Vancouver Warnings or Dangers: Beggars, homeless & junkies tips posted by real travelers and Vancouver locals. • 7 Photos
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Another local warning I would say, not really a danger but Vancouver has a lot of homeless beggars that parole the streets.
They are just like beggars in any other city, nothing more special about these ones.
They say the climate in Vancouver contributes to the problem they have. It is very mild on the west coast of Canada making it a lazy man's job I guess. Leave a Comment
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Panhandlers, beggars, homeless - whatever you want to call them - they're a part of Vancouver life. Generally they'll ask for chaange and leave it at that but don't be surprised if a couple swear at you which did happen to me...it just depends on your character how you deal with it. Ladies - just keep walking. Leave a Comment
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Don't know if this is really a danger, it's more like something to know when you are in Vancouver. When you are driving around Vancouver and you have to stop at a traffic light...don't be surprised if all of a sudden one of these young guys starts cleaning your window. These people are called the Squeegee People. They clean your window and of course they expect some money for it...you give them whatever you want or you just don't have it done.
Most of these squeegy people will ask or make a sign if you like to have your window cleaned and if you don't want it just say no. The best way to avoid to have your window cleaned is not to pay attention to them and keep your windows rolled up! It might be annoying to some people. Leave a Comment
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I know it is a problem in all big cities, but Vancouver seems to have an overabundance of beggars and street people. There is a big drug problem (heroin) and it has made for a big homeless population. Try to give only when you feel they are sincere, it is neverending and they can be very aggressive and intimidating at times. Leave a Comment
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Vancouver, especially in recent years, has had an ongoing problem with aggressive panhandling. Aggressive meaning that beggars will approach people as opposed to simply sitting off to the side. It's a huge political topic in the city, but an issue that never seems to get solved.
Some beggars are legitimately homeless. Some are hardcore drug addicts. Some are mentally ill, and some are just begging as a lifestyle choice.
I've noticed, especially on travel forums, that unsuspecting (and often first-time) visitors to Vancouver are often scared by Vancouver's beggars. If they're not scared, they tend to assume that beggars are somehow dangerous, or that they signify a dangerous neighbourhood. This is not really the case.
The beggars in Vancouver are just that. They are not armed robberers. They are not violent. They do not signify bad neighbourhoods. Most importantly, Vancouver's "bad" neighbourhoods, such as the Downtown Eastside, are not violent. They may have a lot of drug addiction and open air drug use, but they are not places of random violence, muggings, or gang warfare.
Beggars are especially visible in downtown Vancouver, especially in areas of high pedestrian and/or tourist traffic. So even places with high end shops will eventually have beggars at one point during the day wandering around outside. Some begging hotspots include Water Street in Gastown, Granville Street, Davie Street, Robson Street, and Denman Street. Even neighbourhoods outside of downtown like Kitsilano and Commercial Drive have their fair share of beggars.
If you look like a tourist, beggars are more likely to hassle you - especially in Gastown, and especially if you dress like you just stepped off a cruise from Alaska. Just tell them no. They will almost always leave you alone. There is no need to fear them. Keep your street smarts and don't feel you need to give away your money. And don't be surprised if you get asked over 5 times in one day for spare change. This is the unfortunate reality of 21st century Vancouver. Leave a Comment
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Vancouver is ugly and all of it's citizens live in deplorable conditions. The homeless (junkies, mentally ill and alcoholics) are just as well off as the working class. Most yuppies and professionals are more unpleasant to deal with than the bums. WARNING! Do not spend your money or your time in this city for any reason not even the olympics 2010. This is the most disgusting, disappointing and depressing place to live. Everything here is a facade! Stay out! I am working very hard to move away from this real hell on earth. Downtown Detroit and New York are safer.
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On more than one occasion, my friend and I were followed and harassed down Robson Street by seemingly "strung-out' junkies demanding money- was a bit annoying and scary after the 4th or 5th time Leave a Comment
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As stated previously, Vancouver has a very high standard of living. The gap between the rich and the poor is very large. Those who aren't privileged tend to fall through the cracks. Don't be surprised when you're exploring the streets downtown and you see a few homeless people sleeping on doorsteps or prostitutes begging for crack-money. Don't 'donate' money to them, as they will only use the money to buy alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs. Please don't feed their addictions. These people need counselling and education, not pocket change. Leave a Comment
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While Vancouver is undeniably pretty from a distance, up close it has become an appalling stew of junkies, beggars and scavengers that is unrivalled in the developed world. It is easily the most annoying and depressing city I know to walk around in. You will be hounded for money from one end of the city centre to the other, you will see countless drug deals taking place under the incompetent eyes of the local police, and you will see the full effects of failed drug policies. This city has the highest crime rate in North America, so don't ever, ever leave anything in your car or it will most certainly be broken into or stolen. I suggest you delay any planned visits until the city gets its act together, or you will be truly astonished by what you see. Leave a Comment
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I found a suprising number of beggars and homeless in the downtown area, the same umm..well fed woman asked us for money 5 times.I would say I saw 20x the amount of homeless than I saw in New York. Leave a Comment
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