Hand-outs only promote vagrancy

As I walked north on Park Avenue from the university to my home after school Friday, I was approached three separate times by groups of people asking for spare change. These individuals are not typical vagrants, they are in their late-teens and early- 20s, they are in no way handicapped, and they are very intimidating.

They seem to hang out mainly in the university and North Park area and they travel in groups while preying on students.

As a college student, I am on a small budget so I don't give these individuals my money. But, someone must be giving out money, because they have been growing in number and so has their amount of pets.

I applaud these people to a certain extent, they are willing to give their money without passing judgment and truly do have their hearts in the right place.

On the other hand, these vagrants are not inhibited from obtaining a job, most of them look like they belong in high school, and as of now I no longer feel comfortable walking to and from school by myself.

I would urge everyone within the university community to withhold their money from these individuals. If you feel that you must give to them, give them a bag of dog food for their pets, the real victims.

Please do not misunderstand my statements, I understand the problems of poverty and homelessness in our country, but these individuals are young and healthy. There are organizations within our city that can help these youths finish school and get jobs. I feel that our spare change would be of better use if it was given to homeless agencies. Our spare change is only allowing them to get food and other substances on a daily basis, it is not giving them incentive to achieve higher goals. Maybe, without our money, they might take the time to consider other alternatives. My suggestions may not be politically correct but I am sick of feeling apprehensive and intimidated in my neighborhood and on the school campus.