Warning for people living in/near Turku

[CarmenfromTexas]

new tactic round here is for "beggar" to ring bell on front door, & while you deal with him, a second "man" is round the back door. Hasn´t happened to us yet, but was in local paper about this happening in pensioners´homes recently. Whenever I get hassled in tampere, usually at the bus stop, by the regular beggar lady, I just get out my phone & point the camera at her & she runs away fast. she walks a long the bus queue, while we are waiting, asking each one of us individually, & she gets so close to your face it is scary. The other people usually turn their backs or ignore her. She always approaches me if I have a child with me, very unnerving!

Some of the beggars in Helsinki have become aggressive in this way. They come very close to you and demand you acknowledge them. They won't go away until you speak. I like the idea about using the phone to make a photo but be careful they don't grab it out of your hand.
The beggars in Helsinki are very organized. They have their own turf which no other beggars are allowed to use and they gather together in the main railway station, at the end of the day, to wait for their handler to take them home as a group.
There is one girl in her early 20's who can pull the saddest, most mournful face while dressed as a peasant-extra for the set of a Frankenstein movie. Sometimes she has a card that says she's poor and from Moldova and other times, a card about her brother being terribly ill. The first time I fell for her act. (my first summer in Finland) The second time I didn't. You should have seen that meek, pitiful expression change to hard anger in a flash. That was the first and only time I witnessed an honest moment from her.

---I pointed the sheers at him and told him to get out of the house..he had made his way into the eteinen and was trying to open the inner door by this point. He backed out and stood there----

That is really upsetting to read. I imagine the guy was just standing there calculating if he could overtake you and rob your house. Finding out he would have two people and sheer to deal with made him leave.

[Kutittaa]

This has also happened in Oulu Carmen.. my wife and one of my friends got swamped by Romanian beggars yesterday. We were sitting on a chair in the centre when suddenly about 5 Romanians came and one-by-one starting asking us for money whilst shaking cups in our faces. We just shook our heads, it was pretty shocking. None of us have experienced anything like that in Oulu. You could have definitely said it was an invasion of personal space/privacy if you are one of those 'scarce' types. We couldn't even understand what they were saying but they obviously wanted money.

It was crazy after the 3rd person we just got up and tried to leave. Then they went around hitting up everyone else they could. I remember my friend saying "What the... when did Oulu become Helsinki? And even then at least those guys never bother you for money". :/

[mrjimsfc]

Some of the beggars in Helsinki have become aggressive in this way. They come very close to you and demand you acknowledge them.

Time for the pepper spray! How's that for acknowledgment?

[Pursuivant]

I remember my friend saying "What the... when did Oulu become Helsinki?

They're the Green's election campaigners, vote for multicultural society!

[Työelämä]

I thought Eduskunta or parliaments has agreed to bring in Romanian police into Finland to help curb this menace of Romanian beggers in Finland ? Has the plan been swept under the carpet or it is not efficient and this beggers has advance their begging skills to beat the policy makers strategies ? The so much bail-out funds to E.U states has also ignited the high numbers of Romanian and Moldovian flooding the Scandinavian countries, because they have percieved free donors over here.

[pierrot]

I thought Eduskunta or parliaments has agreed to bring in Romanian police into Finland to help curb this menace of Romanian beggers in Finland ? Has the plan been swept under the carpet or it is not efficient and this beggers has advance their begging skills to beat the policy makers strategies ? The so much bail-out funds to E.U states has also ignited the high numbers of Romanian and Moldovian flooding the Scandinavian countries, because they have percieved free donors over here.

Sure, Romania sent one (1) police officer, that will solve it.
And the Romas know they don't have anything to fear from Finnish judicial system which is as hard as a marshmallow with this kind of crime.
They come to Finland for the easy preys and the lack of real penalties.

[Rick1]

Since the leading party Kokoomus is such a lover of outsourcing, I suggest to start a private prison in Siberia and when that is not possible some remote island near Utsjoki where it is only open prison in the months from October till April. The only way to escape will be into Russia.

[simon]

This has also happened in Oulu Carmen.. my wife and one of my friends got swamped by Romanian beggars yesterday. We were sitting on a chair in the centre when suddenly about 5 Romanians came and one-by-one starting asking us for money whilst shaking cups in our faces. We just shook our heads, it was pretty shocking. None of us have experienced anything like that in Oulu. You could have definitely said it was an invasion of personal space/privacy if you are one of those 'scarce' types. We couldn't even understand what they were saying but they obviously wanted money.

It was crazy after the 3rd person we just got up and tried to leave. Then they went around hitting up everyone else they could. I remember my friend saying "What the... when did Oulu become Helsinki? And even then at least those guys never bother you for money". :/

Are you back in Finland now?

[Blatent2ndaccount]

I employ a romainan freelancer. I am informed a very good insult for dealing with romanian beggars is "dute-n pizda matii"
I wont translate it...

[Pursuivant]

Embrace multiculturalism! Remember to vote for Greens and Left in the upcoming municipal elections!

[Heefa]

without the wandering into the house thing, this has just happened to me, and apparently someone came round the house earlier trying to offer some business. wearing an orange t-shirt with a "plastica" logo (methinks maybe a non-existent company). thankfully my limited finnish means i could just send the guy packing with his well written information card. near the varissuo area just to let you know. they must come out when the sun shines...

[CarmenfromTexas]

This has also happened in Oulu Carmen.. my wife and one of my friends got swamped by Romanian beggars yesterday. We were sitting on a chair in the centre when suddenly about 5 Romanians came and one-by-one starting asking us for money whilst shaking cups in our faces. We just shook our heads, it was pretty shocking. None of us have experienced anything like that in Oulu. You could have definitely said it was an invasion of personal space/privacy if you are one of those 'scarce' types. We couldn't even understand what they were saying but they obviously wanted money.

It was crazy after the 3rd person we just got up and tried to leave. Then they went around hitting up everyone else they could. I remember my friend saying "What the... when did Oulu become Helsinki? And even then at least those guys never bother you for money". :/

Sorry that happened to you Kutittaa. Please be aware another tactic of getting money from a mark is to swarm them. While you are distracted, they go through your pockets or purse. The person who steals from you will immediately pass it to a second person so if you do catch them at it, they have nothing on them and they make big, innocent eyes at you.

Time for the pepper spray! How's that for acknowledgment?

LOL! I like it. It might come to that if they are too forward or frightens a mother with her children.

People are people and as long as they don't hurt anyone, they have a right to their life but once that person's actions endangers or threatens the well-being and safety of another then they've crossed the line.

I agree and completely understand. Sad the professional beggars can be heartless and not see us as people too. We are only a mark. It feels so degrading. I want to be left alone.

Sure, Romania sent one (1) police officer, that will solve it.
And the Romas know they don't have anything to fear from Finnish judicial system which is as hard as a marshmallow with this kind of crime.
They come to Finland for the easy preys and the lack of real penalties.

I noticed for almost a week all the beggars were not at their usual stations in Helsinki after the Romanian chief of police came to visit. I thought they were probably scooped up because of him or in honor of Hilary Clinton's visit. Then they were right back at their regular places.

I wish hotels would provide little pamphlets in their rooms warning tourists not to increase the problem by handing out money. Professional beggars always come hand in hand with professional criminals. I'm worried if they feel too free, the next step is gangs rolling drunks. couples, or (God forbid) knocking down our elderly for a purse grab. This could break a hip which would destroy any chance of independent living for them.

[CarmenfromTexas]

Forgot to add I found a way to enjoy living in the most expensive areas of Helsinki during the summer time and not pay a penny. I was walking down Bulevardi today going towards the direction of Ekbergs and as I got near the old opera house, I saw a blue van with the doors open and a woman hanging out blue jeans. I thought she was trying to sell them but she was hanging up wet laundry to dry. I realized they were camping there.

Me being the type to stick my nose into everything, I took some photos that were too far away but gives you an idea of it. No more paying MeriRastilla Camp grounds 23 euros a day. lol

http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o64 ... M_0496.jpg

[atas]

Forgot to add I found a way to enjoy living in the most expensive areas of Helsinki during the summer time and not pay a penny.

Don't give ideas to my cheapskate company

[Upphew]

No more paying MeriRastilla Camp grounds 23 euros a day. lol

I'm sure they had paid their parking fee...