Your article this morning (“Here’s how to handle those CTA panhandlers,” Aug. 16 column by Kyra Kyles), as in the case of each of your CTA-related pieces, has struck a chord with me. I agree with your contention that the CTA is not doing enough to curtail beggars’ ability to harass its customers.
One snippet reminded me of something a friend of mine said in response to a situation similar to this: “But these penalties don’t seem to be scaring off solicitors. I recall a May encounter on the Green Line with a man who exploded at me because I wouldn’t buy M&Ms to benefit his teammates on an inner-city youth baseball team. When I told the guy he looked old enough to play for or possibly manage the Cubs, he left without another word.”
My friend Elaine remarked about the ubiquitous “M&Ms for my team” sellers on Michigan Avenue: “They’ve been out here so long, the team’s uniforms should be gold-plated!”
