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Comment by squigz | Hacker News Reader

I find it notable that you threw in panhandling and "other nuisances" right up there with doing drugs in public. They don't seem comparable.

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Why? The point is that it's all behavior that causes people to fear for their safety. I could care less if someone is on drugs or a drug user. What I do care about is public spaces being not safe because of the behavior of people in them.

Panhandling makes people fear for their safety?

Yes. Homeless folks are often erratic and dangerous to others.

So are teenagers, but I suspect you don't get spooked when they try to sell you candy bars or nag you for a signature.

There's value in being discerning about one's fears, and it's probably best to get a handle on the less justifiable ones before sending the state after people.

Normal teenagers are much less likely to assault you, in my experience.

And it wouldn't be reasonable or fair to judge all teenagers like those who are likely to, would it?

No. Of course not. Teenagers in an environment that is healthy where they are acting like well-adjusted human beings requires little to no scrutiny. Teenagers acting hostile and physically dangerous, yelling at passersby, and threatening violence deserve attention and scrutiny. In my case, the same pattern of thought and observation goes for homeless folks.

Somebody doing drugs behind the Walmart doesn't bother me. The endless stream of people at the gas station who "just need some money to get home" does bother me.

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