Maybe I'm crazy but I consider having to deal with panhandlers just part of city life (not that it's a pleasant part) - I have encountered them in Oakland, the South Side, Downtown, Squirrel Hill....just about everywhere in the city. You have to be on your guard and decide how you are going to deal with them ahead of time. I personally never give them cash; going into my purse for money just opens a whole other world of potential danger I am not altruistic or brave enough to deal with, even if it means really helping some poor stranded soul with a broken-down car. Two weeks ago I was approached at 10am in the East Liberty library parking lot. Same sort of story - the man said his car had broken down, he had had it towed but he needed to pay the garage and he needed some exact sum, like eight dollars and seventy-two cents. He was very polite but persistent. I had my two boys with me and we were already out of the car; I said no and just kept walking into the library. My point (finally) is this: the panhandlers are everywhere. What worries me about this Tony character is that he is wandering the streets of the neighborhood and approaching people in their houses. So again, if you see him, don't hesitate to call 911. And I think the posters are a great idea. I'd be happy to help work them up or distribute them, or whatever other help is needed. ----- Original Message ----- From: <LORIFRED9@aol.com> To: <neighborhood@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 4:50 PM Subject: [Highland Park] Tony the Scam Artist has a cousin

Hi all,

Just arrived back from a vacation overseas and while reading up on all the latest on Tony, I thought I should share the strange incident my family and I encountered late last night.

Around midnight or so just as we were pulling into town after an overseas flight and long car ride back to Pgh, our car was approached while stopped at a red light at Washington Blvd and Penn by a gentleman making gestures and looking distraught about something. I was driving and because my husband was in the car, I lowered the passenger window to hear what he was saying and he approached. Initially he was asking where he could find a gas station with a mechanic to fix a flat tire...but when he got closer he started going into a lengthy story...that he was not dangerous...that he needed $11...my husband quickly told him sorry, we can't help you and instructed me to drive away - which I did.

The man seemed harmless enough and was not aggressive when we declined to help him but the incident reminded me of Tony - although I am not sure it was him.

For whatever reason, ( jetlag, fatigue, false sense of security) I had let down my guard and should not have lowered the window. We had our 3 children sleeping in the back.

Just thought I would share and remind everyone that there may be more "Tony"-like incidents occuring around the East End and not only in Highland Park.

Lori Rongier Farragut St

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