Crime

Man Ticketed For Littering After Giving a Homeless Man Money…And Dropping One of the Bills

John Davis May Pay $500 For Littering After Giving a Homeless Man Money and Briefly Dropping One of the Bills | Ohio

(Photo: Fox 8)

Last Monday, John Davis was reportedly exiting the I-90 in Cleveland, Ohio when he saw a pale, thin man in a wheelchair holding a sign that said something along the lines of, “Love Jesus, Please Help.”

Davis, who has a brother that is paralyzed, says he enjoys helping people, particularly since he knows how much his brother struggles.

(Related: Beck: The Left Uses ‘Political System X’ to Co-Opt the Homeless)

“Not only that, but he‘s needing some money or he wouldn’t be out there,” Davis remarked of the man in the wheelchair.

So, Davis recalled, he grabbed a couple of dollars and folded them, extending his arm out his window to give the bills to the man.

“He touched it.  It hit the ground.  At that point, he bent over and he picked it up,” Davis explained.

John Davis May Pay $500 For Littering After Giving a Homeless Man Money and Briefly Dropping One of the Bills | Ohio

(Photo: Fox 8)

It was only a few seconds before police cruiser lights began flashing, and an officer reportedly told Davis he was being cited for littering. 

“Are you serious?” Davis asked.

“I’m darn serious,” the officer allegedly responded, writing “Throw paper out window,” on the ticket, and in parenthesis, “money to panhandler.”

Watch John Davis’ account of the events, below:

Now, Fox 8 notes that Ohio does have a law that prohibits panhandling and giving money to panhandlers near a highway or street (including a berm, shoulder, treelawn or sidewalk), but that is not what the man was seemingly ticketed for.

When Davis protested, the officer reportedly told him to “take it up with the courts,” where he may have to pay $500, including associated court fees.

“I don’t mean any disrespect toward the police department at all, we need ‘em, but I just wish I didn’t have to pay this ticket,” Davis said.

Not only that, but he said this will undeniably curtail his future charitable givings towards the homeless.

“I’d like to do it again but I’m petrified I’m going to get a ticket.”

(H/T: Fark)

Comments (136)

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  • idaho1
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:33pm

    Although this is an egregious act by the LEO….. I have no sympathy for those that contribute to these individuals. A wheel chair is a common prop to invoke sympathy. Pan handlers around these parts make a career of looking for handouts. In my neck of the woods, they are even organized and have vans that move them from hot spot to hot spot. This sympathetic money handout would be better spent at the local Salvation Army or homeless shelter. These type of entities will make sure this donation is not going towards booze or other items that does little to benefit the very panhandler who has their hand out at every corner. Each direct donation to such an individual only makes the donor “feel” good, but does little to help those that have their hand out. Rather, it only encourages the pan handler to continue along the same aimless path.

    Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:44pm

      The police are simply revenue collectors for the state……..it’s all about the unions and the pensions and the benefits………..they no longer protect OR serve……

      Report Post »  
    • MAULEMALL
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:52pm

      It’s cleveland….He’s already in hell what else could they do??

      Report Post » MAULEMALL  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:59pm

      When I was a civilian cop a number of years ago I picked up on how some of my fellow officers took their jobs. Some would hit their shifts and race to see how many tickets they could write, while others would look for the best places to screw off. If I had a minor verbal disagreement with somebody even just days senior to me I could find myself facing a possible suspension and actually did once over a totally BS situation. I enjoyed my full time career in LE, but honest, sensible LE. I left that last PD almost twelve years ago and have not looked back since. Now, I did work with a lot of great guys, but there were just enough thugs in midnight blue to make that last job suck.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 6:19pm

      @IDAHO1

      Given 10 panhandlers, and assuming that 9 of them are scamming me, I would still contribute knowing I at least helped 1 of them who was truly in need.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 6:25pm

      I agree with IDAHO1, we have the same thing down here in south Fl. It is actually dangerous. It is against the law here to walk out in traffic to solicate for anything, however, sadly our police here in Broward county only enforce this after a complaint has been lodged. You can observe the police see this happen and just ignore it. I have come close to hitting these people several times. I think it’s simple, if it is against the law, DO NOT do it. After all, it is for their safety as much as it is for yours. Feel sorry for this law breaker I DO NOT.

      Report Post »  
    • lemkete
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 8:04pm

      @brother_ ed

      You are the prime example of how a fool and his money are easily departed.

      Report Post »  
    • Tiberius
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 9:26pm

      I was homeless before and while I agree that many of the homeless lie to get food or more importantly drugs or alcohol, I do not agree lump everyone in the same group. Getting out of the mind frame is the hardest part of getting your stuff straight. Your comment was very heartless. I haven’t been homeless in a long time, but what is money, except paper. It meant more to me when I had none and now that I am starting my new business I can repay all the people who didnt have your attitude.

      Report Post »  
    • Redrivermma
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 11:03pm

      Don’t tell me or anyone, to who or what we want to give our money to.

      Report Post » Redrivermma  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 2:10am

      @Tiberius

      You’re going to hunt down all the random strangers who handed you a few bucks at a stoplight on an overpass? That’s nice of you.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • empleh
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 2:51am

      you have a valid point, but that’s not what the scriptures say! Besides, the story is about being ticketed for an offense that never took place. Littering is not picking up the trash thrown. That is not what happened here. Take back this country to real freedom!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:48am

      If you feed a stray it will return, When they return more will follow, Before you know it you are eaten out of house and home.
      There are places for those in need and those people know who the scammers are.

      Report Post »  
    • trurl
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:29am

      From my Christian perspective, I’m called to help when I can. That is my responsibility to God. If the recipient abuses what God provided through my hand, then he/she has to answer for it. It is not given to me to decide wether the person asking for help is being honest or not. God rewards based on our own actions and motives, not someone else’s. As it says in Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

      Report Post » trurl  
    • Bloody Sam
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:57am

      “I’d like to do it again but I’m petrified I’m going to get a ticket.”

      All I have to say is;
      A fearless man cannot be controlled.

      Report Post » Bloody Sam  
    • AZRACISTBIGOT
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 11:24am

      If this fellow felt generous and wanted to help the poorest among us, he should have given his money to the “Gubmint” They would have selected who they feel is the most truly deserving NOT!

      Report Post »  
    • MAMMY_NUNN
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 2:25pm

      I know Churchs and Shelters who know who the scammers are and they do kick them to the curb because they refuse to better themselves. Shelters will only let you stay a certain amount of days
      and they boot them out.

      Report Post »  
    • rangerp
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 4:53pm

      bummer

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • Jim in Houston
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 12:13pm

      Must have been a high ranking member of the police union. Common sense was certainly lacking in this officer. I think he should be suspended for a few days (without pay) and told to contemplate his stupid actions.

      Report Post »  
  • FromSeaToSea
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:32pm

    They Are Planning To Take Your Last Defense……..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4zP7_koRXQ&feature=related

    Report Post »  
  • Dale
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:32pm

    I guess the officer knew it was a waste of time to ticket the ‘homeless’ recipient, who seems just as culpable as Mr. Davis.

    Report Post » Dale  
  • lel2007
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:28pm

    I‘ve read ’People get the government they deserve’. And from the government we get the results of all the BS they manufacture.

    Report Post » lel2007  
  • crawdad
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:27pm

    Possible defense? It’s not paper, it cotton & linen, right?

    Report Post »  
  • crawdad
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:24pm

    Possible defense ? It’s not paper, it’s cotton & linen, right?

    Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 7:21pm

      should have made the cop drop the ticket on the ground and then charged him with littering.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
  • PingPongPing
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:24pm

    its a set up. the homeless man is in cahoots with the police so they can ticket anyone who gives the guy money.

    few seconds! only a few seconds and then a cruiser comes flashing in. ITS A SET UP, I TELL YA!

    Report Post » PingPongPing  
  • RANGER1965
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:22pm

    Barney Fife the bureacrat strikes again.

    Here’s how to fix it.

    You start with a nice fat editorial in your local paper, the officer is named.

    Then you’re interviewed by the local news.

    Media wants to ask the police department some questions, they respond that this issue under investigations.

    Pissed off Police Chief calls little Barney Fife into his office. Tells Barney that he doesn’t want a dumb ass on his police force, that would give a man a ticket for dropping a dollar on the ground. He would tell Barney that this particular incident will be dropped and Barney better shape up.

    Barney however would not learn from this, instead he would be pissed off that the innocent man he ticketed got him in trouble.

    It would never occur to his pea brain that maybe he is the problem.

    RANGER

    Report Post » RANGER1965  
  • RMJR
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:17pm

    I don’t give any more money out to pan-handlers. I give to my church, that has a commonsense button that doesn’t get caught, for long, with those that lie to get a hand out. The church use to be the safety net that helped the really in need, and called out the fraud. You also didn’t have tax deduction tag, that many give use in their ‘charity’. Charity doesn’t claim a reward. It just does for others, not for an agenda, but out of the goodness of heart.
    I broke this rule, over two months ago. I was pulling up to an ATM, and a guy started walking over to me. I told him if he was coming over for a handout, stay where he was. He proceeded to give me a sob story about having kids and they were hungry, so I told him I’d buy a couple of Happy Meals, but I would give him no money. I went and did what I said I would do, all the time wondering if at least one time, a man telling me, and using his kids, was telling the truth. I got back to the bank, and low and behold…not anywhere to be found…
    If we want these liars off the streets, even though it may feel wrong, we have to stop giving to them…and maybe give more to our church, or to a church to get to really needy people, instead.

    Report Post » RMJR  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:22pm

      Sucker

      The guy in the wheel chair was probably a fake, a panhandler. Now the Good Samaritan will become the victim of the Black Operated City. Help people at your own peril.

      Report Post »  
    • cdavis2009
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:26pm

      Think of taking the tax deduction from tithe this way: By deducting said tithe from taxes you are basically deciding where your money goes instead of the government deciding for you. The more you deduct the less you are wasting your money by giving it to the state and – hopefully – the more you are actually helping people.

      Report Post »  
    • bigdaddyt46
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:28am

      my dad was a Pastor for 40 years and was confronted with this delima many times early into his Ministry. he use to give them money when asked. fearing that he was being taken adavantage of and that they were really using the money for booze, or drugs. my father hit on an idea to handle the frequent request of money. he talked to a local restraunt and set up a deal with them on a set breakfast and they would send him the bill. when the would come to him he’d say:

      “if you’re truly hungry go here (said restraunt) and tell them Pastor Hellman sent you to have breakfast”
      that is all the had to say and they had a breakfast of two eggs, two pieces of toast, two pieces of bacon, and a cup of coffee.

      he told me years later this arangement neither cost him, or the restraunt more then $20 as very few would take advantage of this generous offer.
      another time i answered the church phone from the paesonage and was listening to the black woman explain she was out of work with 4 kids and was not looking for toys for her children but to be able to give them at least one decent meal for Christmas. he told her you really need to talk with my dad about this. i put the phone down and went and told my dad you really need to talk to this woman. she repeated what she had told me and the next day we drove to her house to deliver 2 bags of groceries. the look on her and her kids faces will be forever burned in my brain.
      my dad told me the fact that she started with i do not want toys, o

      Report Post » bigdaddyt46  
    • bigdaddyt46
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:35am

      continued:
      only want food for my children for Christmas that told him there was a true need and not just some way to steal money. the point of both stories is this. there are ways to help those who are truely in need as a Christian without being unessarily being taken advantage of for being a Christian( too many people see Christians as an easy mark).

      Report Post » bigdaddyt46  
  • AmazingGrace8
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:16pm

    Wait a minute…no 5 second(or less) rule? Wait a minute…if the 5 second rule applied and the officer was going to fine the panhandler….a smart lawyer would say “the panhandler INHERITED the dollar”so he cannot be guilty. Back to square-one…

    Report Post »  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:10pm

    Cops are a thug army that are milking citizens of money so they can all get new police cruisers. They will be the ones knocking in your door and taking your weapons also.

    The other day, I got a ticket for no seat belt. The problem is, I had my seat belt on. The officer informed me I was leaning forward so I couldnt have had my seat belt on. Of course I plead my case in court and its my word verse the cop. The judge finds me guilty since I wasnt filming my traffic stop I guess and didnt have proof I was wearing it.

    The reason the seat belt laws were created was not for your safety. It was created so police can pull anyone over. All they have to say is he wasnt wearing his seat belt in a area that doesnt have street cams. No proof and then he can do search and do any kind of check on you he wants.

    Report Post » Mutiny  
    • booger71
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:27pm

      Your right, more and more the police are acting like thugs instead of being PUBLIC SERVANTS. They also keep whining about their pay and benefits. I am loosing my respect for them and firefighters on a daily basis. Voters, we must ban together and get rid of the public unions which are starving our cities and counties.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • Meechie
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 7:06pm

      That may be the case where you live but most of the cops around here actually do care. So dont judge cops on tiredly in one area. I understand there are bad cops but having one bad experience with one cop should not give you the right to bash all cops. No I’m not a cop but I do have a lot of cops as friends I am sick and tired of people bashing cops and then having NOTHING to back it up or one single stupid incident to clarify their feelings besides some yaywho said some yahwho said such and such happened to me. What you don’t see with your eyes! Don’t witness with your muth.

      Report Post »  
    • RLTW
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 10:16pm

      I agree, I also find it interesting in my area they have a big advertising push going on about seatbelt violations. My first thought they’re just using it as a reason to stop whoever they want.

      Report Post »  
  • Dougral Supports Israel
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:08pm

    He should contest the charge and if he loses tell the judge that he came to court personally so the judge would have to look him in the eye as he was being fined.

    Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:08pm

    The police doing great police work…..

    Report Post »  
  • deerfawn
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:08pm

    what’s the big upset, its just our government out to protect us right. :)

    Report Post »  
  • wisehiney
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:04pm

    Mr Davis, y’all need to get the heck outta there.

    Report Post »  
    • lordjosh
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:16pm

      “….the police department…., we need ‘em”

      No we don’t.

      Report Post » lordjosh  
  • chips1
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:04pm

    Just wait and the dollar WILL be litter.

    Report Post »  
  • deerfawn
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:03pm

    hey what’s the big upset, its just our government looking out for our safety right. :)

    Report Post »  
  • ebayer
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:01pm

    “The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich and the poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.”

    Report Post »  
  • EP46
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:00pm

    John, John, John….you can not GIVE to a person..you can only TAKE that which belongs to someone else….you cannot show charity toward another human.
    What is wrong with you….only the government can GIVE ….oh John, why are you trying to take obama‘s job and make people think you have a ’stash’ to hand out money to those in need ? Don’t even think about helping someone cross a street or offer to help if someone is hurt.

    John is a great American.showing love and kindness…..can’t have that in Socialist America.

    Report Post »  
  • ebayer
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:00pm

    No good deed goes unpunished.

    Report Post »  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:00pm

    Where can we send a few dollars to help him pay the fine?

    Report Post » NHwinter  
  • JaketheDog
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 4:56pm

    Doesn‘t he know it is the government’s job to help people?

    Report Post » JaketheDog  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 4:54pm

    Money… is not Litter… YET!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:03pm

      yes … yet … and no good deed goes unpunished .. if this police officer is nearby .. I wonder if he has a quota .. our police used to deny that they had quota and then it was revealed they did.

      Report Post »  
    • FortySixand2
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 6:45pm

      I refuse to give money to beggars. Now, if I have some extra food in my lunch bucket, I have no problem with sharing. I wonder if I’d be ticketed for giving out a banana?

      Report Post » FortySixand2  
  • Popp40
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 4:53pm

    Wake up people….they are passing so many laws that everyone will be criminals and will have to pay. Plus cities are so broke they are doing all they can to get revenue.

    Report Post »  
    • undercover
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 5:17pm

      Yes this is the plan – but we don’t have to cooporate. According to Scripture, it’s a blessing to be persecuted for doing well!

      Report Post »  
    • longun45
      Posted on May 23, 2012 at 8:46pm

      Do not feed the bums. WE can help the needy much better, but they must also help themselves.

      Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on May 23, 2012 at 4:49pm

    Really, In Ohio.

    Report Post » HKS  
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