Sometimes, my insights about Charlottesville come through casual observation.  Recently, I’ve observed what appears to be an increase in the number of homeless and those asking for money.

Twice in the last month, people have asked me for money in parking lots.  I’ve never had this happen with this level of frequency.  They tell me that their car is broken down or out of gas and they only need a few bucks to catch the bus or fill up.  I have a friend who was at Beer Run and approached by a lady who came out of her car and needed gas money.  In exchange she was offering a book that was “worth $60, but she could sell it for $20.”  Probably a scam, but you never know.

Nonetheless, it seems as though these types of things indicate a rise in the number of people having financial trouble.  It seems as though there are more people asking for money than I can ever remember in Charlottesville.  I am not sure if everyone is homeless or not, but these sorts of events seem much more common and indicate what we all know about our economy: it isn’t good.

Have you observed the same?

[pic from liber]

I was driving down Elliot Rd. last night minding my own business, when I saw a man riding a motorcycle with a baby in his lap. They were doing circles around the grassy area outside of the Newplex. Neither man nor baby was wearing a helmet. The mom stood by and watched, clapping and cheering.  Also, I saw three cop cars drive by the scene and not stop.

Is it just me? Or is there something terribly wrong with this?

(bigger pictures after the break)

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