Police giving "homeless" man boots

I am not aware of this story, haven't seen it or read anything about it until now. The man was out in the streets bare footed? And he did this to what? Sell the boots? Did he know boots would be given to him? It all sounds so strange. I would never purposely go outside without anything on my feet in hopes that someone would give me boots to sell. It's cold out there! Lose a toe, foot, for what? I would love to read this article. I agree though, it's a shame people are like this, but we get them in all walks of life.

I saw that as well. now they have pictures of the man with out them. Did he sell them? Or did someone steal them from him??

I have to agree with you on this. Maybe the guy looked homeless but maybe he was under the impression that if he used the good old standby of "don't ask, don't tell" and figured what he got was alright, that it didn't matter. I would have second thoughts about helping someone else after running into someone like that. I do agree with you, maybe people like him need to be exposed whether on the TV or newspaper.

This only shows the bad and the good people out there. The "homeless" may have fooled the police, but it shows that there are kind hearted people who are willing to lend a hand- it just happened that, this homeless person is a fraud one...:xxx

this is already known during the middle ages! At that time over 40 different kind of beggars were known. We still believe the beggar, the homeless person, the good friend in need who knows how to get our attention by playing with our feelings to get what they want. And why not? It turns out time after time that there always is some idiot willing to give or to pay. If not they start telling you you have no heart, you are not able to put yourself in their place etc.. BTW kind people will never be rewarded. They will be stabbed in the back and attract more abusers pretening they are poor, homeless or your best friend. Yes there are many people in need, yes there are many homeless people, but those who do need help the most you will seldom meet outside on the street. They suffer in silence and mostly the only thing left over they have is pride.

This reminds me of the shaky lady that was in Toronto a few years back. She would pan handle, and say she was homeless, with no money. She let the cameras in on her day of work, she didnt know that they were still watching her. She got up, and got into a sports car, and drove off.

i once worked at a place where they had a 'Christmas store' where people on welfare could get used clothes, food and a gift for family members. some of these people that came in had fur coats and diamond rings. some people just know how to rip off the system it seems.

I read about this news saying a very nice cop offering help to a homeless man. I was and am still deeply moved by the good deed of this nice cop. I think this cop is a nice and kind person. As to the "homeless man", if we think it from another angel, it would be different. Maybe he was testing about people's kindness to a homeless person that he was doing so. Thanks for the discussion.

There's all kinds of people like that in the world, and here as a matter of fact. While some people are homeless through no fault of their own, others play the homeless "game" to live--it's a job to them.I used to see it all the time in Tucson--the other half and I were always offering people with "will work for food" signs food, or jobs--and getting insulted and yelled at because they wanted money--not food, or a job. So we just started giving the food and money to our local community food banks and soup kitchens--but more to the food bank (since a lot of the professional homeless in Tucson use the soup kitchens). I have no objection to people being professional beggars-- let the city give them a license, make them carry it, and post a sign that they are a professional beggar/ homeless by choice (their are quite a few in Tucson that ARE homeless by choice-- they migrate there from the North every winter). In Boston, they used to have a no panhandling law--but anyone could get a street performer's license for 5.00. Then they'd juggle, tell stories, play music--as long as they were DOING something, the cops left them alone, and they made their money. People who are really trying to get back on their feet can always find people to help them--non-profits, churches, government, and more. They want to get back on their feet, and deserve the help. People who want to make a living begging should be identified as such--and if people want to give them money, fine.

There are fake homeless people , there is one in my town . He would walk around asking money to go to hospital and I gave him all my money even though my boyfriend at the time say I should not . I then saw the man later in proper outfit and was eating at Burger King , and then someone tell us that he is not homeless . A lot of people take advantage of others kindness , when we could help others that really need it , we dont want to give people that who may really need it because of those others pretenders .

While I feel that it is very wrong of a person to take advantage of the kindness of strangers, this is not the first time that something like this has happened and it will surely not be the last time that something like this will happen. In fact, it is my belief that a big part of the reason that there aren't nearly as many random acts of kindness that occur in the world today as there once was is because of the fact that there are so many people that do take advantage of the kindness that strangers do offer when they don't need that kind of help at all.

Ain't it sad to know that there are people who take advantage over those with a good heart? Really, shame on all those people! Some just have a generous heart to extend their help a much as they can, only to realize that he has just been fooled.

Its been a great story... did he get the boots back? I saw on sat. or sunday a video where he was walking with no shoes on.

this article shows helping others when needed, good

Hello desertrose. Apparently Jeffrey Hillman, the so called homeless man didn't ask for the boots or was not begging for help. He apparently was not homeless even though he appears to be. Some time in our desire to help we don't always use very good judgement. Jeffery said that the boots were so nice that he was scared they would be stolen from him and they might cost him his life. I can understand that. May the office should have gotten a much cheaper pair. But then they might not have been very warm. The thing about these kinds of stories hurt the people who really do need help. A while back John Stossel did a piece on freeloaders. One woman was begging two blocks from the house she was buying with her begging. She told people that her boy friend had stranded her. It makes a person rather Leary of helping any one.

I read that article too. He did it 2 times because the poor man hid the boots because they were as he said "worth money" and someone might hurt him to get them. Awesome story!

hi desertrose yes that was unfair. Nobody should pretend to be homeless. and those who do g et homeless are often middle class peole who got evicted when one of both werelaid off thei jobs and cou ld not get another for anything. here in California jobless rate second highest in the nation.l. we were made homeless but we got oursleves on our feet again and thats why i s ta y in this tiresome retirement center as in my eighties and being diabetic my son did not want me on the streets so he helped me to get in here and no no its not free lest anyone thing I got a freebie.It takes most of my social security and ssi checks to pa y rent each month and board. my son still has only a part time job but its a job. those who really are homeless and need help are not really getting it not here anyway.

I heard that news on TV and I admire that cop who really bothered to buy the man some boots. However, the next time the cop passed by, the "homeless" man is shoeless again. What did he do with the boots?

Those who are not homeless but act like they are need to be exposed for who they really are on the news! I hope that if you expose this man barefoot, homeless or not, he will find somebody to give him boots : it is called humanism. The fact that the man lied does not imply cold-heartedness from others, and the policeman showed that he has a great heart.

That's such a beautiful gesture, I'd be really moved to see. Isn't it nice when we remember there are great and selfless people in this world? Because tv shows too much violence and the other world when there are so many beautiful things, like charity, people united for a cause, veganism, animal rights, child charity, heroism...