queenhoneybee, I too am a survivor, but I have no compassion for child molester or
any other one. This guy had a nerve to ask the SJ not to mention he was a pedophile and that he wasn't a pervert. Well you know what buddy... you are a pervert!!! You sexually assaulted a child!! Whether you did it once or ten times, you're a child molester! this guy claims he can't work due to back problems but he can stand and beg for money hours on end every day? He should be chased out of Auburn too! he's a distraction for one. how do all of that give him money even know what he uses it for?
City
Auburn panhandler has criminal history
Oct 29, 2009 12:00 am
John Stevens holds up his sign that he uses when panhandling.
John Stevens of Augusta accepts a donation from a woman at the entrance of the Auburn Wal-Mart on Wednesday. Stevens, who has an extensive criminal record and has served time in prison, has sought money from passing motorists there, from time to time, for months.
- Jose Leiva/sun journalAUBURN — His name is John Stevens, he's 43 and homeless since a fire destroyed his Augusta apartment last March. And though his driver's license is suspended and he's without car insurance, he commutes 62 miles a day to panhandle near the Burger King off Mount Auburn Avenue.
He's also a convicted sex offender and a felon, though you wouldn't know it from his sign soliciting help.
"They booted me out of Augusta," Stevens said Wednesday as he solicited donations from passers-by. "I got two different tickets out of two different towns, Waterville and Topsham. This is the only place I can go and the cops don't bother me."
Sgt. Christopher Shaw of the Augusta Police Department said Wednesday that Augusta has no specific ordinance against panhandling, but police have been charging panhandlers around the Wal-Mart and Marketplace shopping centers with trespassing at the request of store owners. Police had received a number of complaints about the growing number of panhandlers there, including a complaint about one man who had a roll of several hundred dollars, all $20 bills, on him when he was charged.
Augusta police never charged Stevens with trespassing, and had no record of any contact with him panhandling in Augusta.
Stevens was convicted in 1997 in Kennebec County Superior Court of unlawful sexual contact. He was sentenced to serve four years, with all four years suspended. His victim was under 14 years old. According to the Maine State Bureau of Identification, he is considered a sexually violent predator as a result of that conviction.
According to the Maine Sex Offender Registry, his permanent address as of Sept. 3, 2009, was an apartment at 382 Water St., Augusta.
"It's a motel place, and we stayed there because I have a friend there that kinda stays there," Stevens said Wednesday. "I have to have a permanent address."
He asked that his sex-offender status not be reported "because I would really get in problems with people up here if they had any idea. I ain't no pervert and I don't chase children."
Stevens' criminal record includes three felony convictions, including a burglary conviction in 1986 when he was sentenced to serve three years in jail, with all but 90 days suspended, the 1997 sex conviction and a conviction in 1988 for unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs and theft by unauthorized taking. He was sentenced to serve five years in prison on the 1988 charges, concurrent with sentences for convictions of misdemeanor assault, burglary and theft. He also has 14 misdemeanor convictions, including convictions for theft, assault, criminal mischief and criminal trespass.
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, his license to drive is under suspension indefinitely following an accident in Augusta in early October after he was unable to provide proof of insurance. Stevens' license has been suspended four times before the most recent suspension.
His Maine driving record includes seven convictions for speeding violations between 2001 and 2009, and convictions for failure to yield right of way, operating after suspension, littering from a motor vehicle, violation of Maine's seat belt law, improper passing, hitchhiking and failure to obey a traffic signal.
According to a Kennebec Journal report, Stevens leaped from the second floor of his burning apartment building at 62 Chapel St. in Augusta last March, and was caught by two police officers as he hit the ground. The cause of the fire was later determined to be an aging electric pencil sharpener left on in another apartment while the tenant was away.
Jerry Fleury, the building's owner, said Stevens and his wife had been renting the apartment for about five months before the fire. They lived there with their two cats, and had no children. Fleury said Stevens had a bad back and was not employed when he lived at the Chapel Street building.
Fleury remembered seeing Stevens panhandling at the Augusta Wal-Mart for months after the fire, but then he disappeared. Early this week, Fleury drove to Auburn to shop at The Home Depot and was surprised to see Stevens panhandling on Mount Auburn Avenue with the same sign he used to panhandle in Augusta for six months.
Stevens, who has appeared in at least one local television news cast, recently called the Sun Journal to publicize his story.
"My wife gets paid bi-weekly," he said, adding that he can't work because he's disabled. "She don't make enough so we can get into an apartment. It kills me to be up here (asking for money)."
He said he's been fighting more than two years to get disability payments and has been denied multiple times. He's now waiting to go before a judge. He's also on pain medications and said he argues with the state all the time "because they won't pay for them."
Of the panhandling, Stevens said it was "better than stealing."
"I could be out thieving and stuff and probably make more money, but I can't do it with my back," he said, pocketing nearly $30 during the 20-minute interview.
rmetzler@sunjournal.com
Comments
queenhoneybee, I too am a
Submitted by Blue Eyes on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 18:52.
This guy is more or less
Submitted by Chunky_Monkey on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 17:54.
This guy is more or less saying he would rob you blind... if he could... " "I could be out thieving and stuff and probably make more money, but I can't do it with my back," My husband has a tumor on his back, and he still wakes up every morning to support his family by going to WORK! He gets no charity from this chunky monkey
"They booted me out of
Submitted by Brian_L on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 17:10.
"They booted me out of Augusta," Stevens said
Looks like we should boot him out of Lewiston & Auburn too.
With all of the legitimate
Submitted by Turier on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 17:06.
With all of the legitimate charities in need today how can people waste their hard earned money with this low life. In the article he admits that he would steal instead of panhandleing but he is unable to steal due to his disabilities. What credibility! Folks, give your excess money to United Way, Salvation Army, the Good Shepherd food pantry, St. Martin de Pores, etc, etc,etc, but not to this guy from Augusta. Come on, society is getting too tolerant with those who choose to screw the good hearted! He should stay in Augusta but apparently they don't want him there either!
Hey he seems like a nice guy
Submitted by bigfish on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 16:50.
Hey he seems like a nice guy to me. I've handed him a couple bucks before, ill definitely hand him a couple bucks again. I'm sure he;ll put it to better use than I would. No harm no foul.
so you need your head
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 17:55.
so you need your head examined too. where should we donate for that???
Hey dosh, being a member of
Submitted by TREEHUGGARRR on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 16:39.
Hey dosh, being a member of the "Peace Corps" did they teach you respect of religions, or is the disrespect shown in your Jesus dressup an example of your "liberal chicque"?
That’s it I’m going to
Submitted by MrT on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 15:22.
That’s it I’m going to make a sign that reads.
Never been arrested
I have a full time job
please give me money.
I do feel bad for this man think about it he makes $90 hr when he works. Doesn't pay taxes doesn’t have a driver license or insurance yet drives to and from his "job" site. Standing all day with a bad back and the government won’t give him any hand out or oxycodone. PEOPLE please this man is an honest man he says his house burnt down although it was his apartment, don’t you know how much it cost to move from one apartment to the next.
You know what I am going to try to help this man. I will make a bigger sign that says.
Help this man!
He has lost everything including
1 case of sexual assault
2 cases of burglary
1 case selling drugs
and 14 misdemeanor
This man is a VICTIM!
Now I can’t do it during the week see I have a job that I have to be at so any volunteers?
sign me up..... do i get to
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 16:24.
sign me up..... do i get to keep some of the money??? tax free baby!!!!
If he can commute 62 miles
Submitted by ojhuig on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 14:52.
If he can commute 62 miles and stand there with a sign all day, he can work as a flagger. The truth is, he is un-hireable because he's a bum.
Typical of todays
Submitted by Gaffer on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 12:34.
Typical of todays lay-a-bouts. Scamming the system instead of trying to do an honest days work. And our system lets them get away with it. The police should nail him for driving w/o a licence and the IRS for not reporting his money from donations.
We have let our system create a mess where there are more in the wagon than pulling it. How long do you think that will last?
I think I've seen him at the
Submitted by kjawbb on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 12:29.
I think I've seen him at the new Bangor Walmart too!!!!!!!
This specimen is a insult to
Submitted by OldHeathen on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 12:09.
This specimen is a insult to down and out people everywhere! I agree with oo7, call the IRS! I had no idea that the homeless had a place to commute from! I tend to believe the best giving one can do is to buy a can of something to eat, or give to a food bank etc. In other words, to those who need it and to sustain life not as a vocation.
since I don't read the
Submitted by MeinMaine on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 11:35.
since I don't read the entire paper, I appreciate this being on the front page. I would not have stopped to give him anything, not because I don't give to those less fortunate than myself, but because I support the systems of the United Way, the Salvation Army and Good Shepard food bank. That way I am confident that my money is going for a real cause and not just to line someones pockets.
To Polanski, or to not
Submitted by Scotty_O on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 11:22.
To Polanski, or to not Polanski, that is the question.
I've seen this guy many
Submitted by DR on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 11:22.
I've seen this guy many times over summer and fall, being a traffic nuisance on the corner of Mt Auburn Ave and the Wal-Mart entrance. I didn't believe his "house fire" sign for a second. Decent people who are victims of fire don't beg on street corners like common panhandlers, nor do they continue to beg month after month after month. He also gave me a creepy vibe, which was apparently well-founded based on his criminal intentions and history. I was amazed to see people stopping to give this guy money. It's so obvious he's not on the up-and-up.
Have been wondering why the Auburn police allowed him to cause a traffic distraction in the middle of the street, and now I'm wondering even more why they're allowing a convicted criminal to panhandle in the middle of the biggest shopping area around. If there aren't any teeth in Auburn laws to cover this situation, then I suggest somebody get busy and rectify the situation.
Normal people truly in need deserve all the help we can give them. Criminals also deserve help, but the kind of help that leads to rehabilitation and acceptance of living within societal norms. Rewarding a criminal with money for doing nothing but holding his hand out while admitting he'd just as soon steal is not helping anyone.
WOW WHO APPROVE THIS FOR
Submitted by Winterbear98 on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 10:59.
WOW WHO APPROVE THIS FOR FRONT PAGE NEWS ALL TIME LOW OF NEWS REPORTING
i am happy the sun journal
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 11:33.
i am happy the sun journal put this on the front page and if the jerk is going for ssi that must be because he hasn't worked enough to get the normal social security, that also means he is STILL taking from the people, or trying to. i have a feeling when social security reads this they will see that he CAN IN FACT WORK!!!! NICE JOB SUN JOURNAL!!!! save the social security for the old people that REALLY need it!!!!!!!
"I could be out thieving and
Submitted by whcosta on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 10:39.
"I could be out thieving and stuff and probably make more money, but I can't do it with my back," he said, pocketing nearly $30 during the 20-minute interview. - I don't know I am thinking 90$ an hour is pretty good cash. Tax free too! Its too bad I have dignity or I just might make myself a sign too!
Scott Thistle We just
Submitted by sthistle on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 10:15.
Scott Thistle
We just thought it would make sense to have a conversation for people who want to give and how they can do so with the confidence to know their donation will go to a legitimate cause. Hopefully some people will find that informative and useful. We have guests from the Salvation Army and the United Way joining us.
Please join the conversation at noon.
http://www.sunjournal.com/node/427483
Hey all, We're going to be
Submitted by preaves on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:43.
Hey all,
We're going to be hosting a chat at noon about how to give to charities, and where your charitable dollars go.
You can follow along right here: http://www.sunjournal.com/node/427483
oh this is nice now someone
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:47.
oh this is nice now someone begging on here too. like people want to donate after this article, especially online?!?!?!?!
That wasn't our intention.
Submitted by preaves on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 10:21.
That wasn't our intention. Our intention was that, if you want to help people in need -- what's the way that will help someone the most? Who can you trust? How do you know your money is going to someone who needs it? We're going to have reps from the United Way and the Salvation Army chatting with us about the work they do and how they use your money.
ok sorry i misread the whole
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 10:23.
ok sorry i misread the whole thing, good luck with that.
After reading the many
Submitted by Steve on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 11:02.
After reading the many comments here, I have a couple of comments myself.
1) A majority of you are ready to throw him under the train, or bus, or whatever is the most convienient for crimes which he was already been convicted of and served a sentence for. Don't you all realize that he payed for his crimes according to the law.
2.) I'd like to know how many of the posters are Christians. By the tone of the comments, I'd say NONE, but my intuition says otherwise. Makes me proud to be an atheist.
3) Read "Les Miserables", this person sounds like he should be named Jean Valjean.
4.) This one is most important, and has been my opinion for a long time. Many of you seem to have all the answers to all of our societal problems, too bad some of you wouldn't run for public office and use your self-stated expertise to change the way things a done.
I know I'll get lambasted for my views, but I just take the comments from hence they come, mostly from BEMs.
PP----do you know these
Submitted by amosnme on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 14:29.
PP----do you know these things for sure in your 3 continuous statements? No, you don't. If you did, you would be on a cop show as a psychic and getting paid big bucks. No matter what this guy has done and, in the eyes of the law, has paid for, you don't know he will reoffend. How many "little" illegal things have you done in your lifetime and not gotten caught? None of us are perfect. He may not be anyone's favorite person or citizen of the year, but he could have sent troops into a war we shouldn't be in, causing thousands of American deaths and gotten paid millions of dollars to be called Mr. President....extremely guilty, but legal. What's worse?
and i am glad they let us in
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:34.
and i am glad they let us in on it, then we won't be the fools we have been being and keep feeding this guy. he is a liar and he only needs a JOB! like the rest of us. thanks sunjournal keep up the good work.
OMG...please dont publicize
Submitted by Denisa on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:28.
OMG...please dont publicize my sex offender status???? Is this boy wacked or what....I think that Auburn PD needs to serve him with tickets and ban him from soliciting money from our community. He is a "violent sex predator". This scumbag has audacity. GET RID OF THIS LOSER FROM OUR CITY STREETS.
Having worked with a bad
Submitted by Ernest on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:21.
Having worked with a bad back for over twenty years I can honestly say that I would be hard pressed to stand day after day holding a sign. Pain is a part of life. Get over it. learn to live with it like I did, it's not pleasant but life goes on.
Now for his rap sheet, I guess it kind of tells his life story.
i am with you ernest i have
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:29.
i am with you ernest i have two herniated disks in my back, but you do learn to live with it, and i have to work like this too, that sign would absolutly kill me. so when he goes to his disability meeting, and they asked are there ANY jobs you can do? he'll say no, they'll take out the pics of him and say, hey we think you will make a great sign holder. i think when he first got here he said he had kids to feed too
if it's that easy, hell
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:11.
if it's that easy, hell i'm just gonna go make a sign and stand at the other end of wally world so when you see me please donate cuz i am so tired of working and i had a house fire once.
This is too bad really.
Submitted by queenhoneeybee on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 08:52.
This is too bad really. Economic times are tough and its hard for anyone to find a job or do some kind of work. I think part of being a human being is having some compassion and a little more understanding... but all too often people are just too quick to judge. Unfortunately for sex offenders that little thing called 'privacy' doesn't exist no matter how much of an outstanding citizen they may be. I agree that there are some that are high-risk and may not have got the right kind of help. That doesn't entitle anyONE to violate their privacy by posting their personal information, exact addresses where they live, or exact work addresses. This only heightens their risk to be physically attacked or harassed. All sex offenders are treated the same and there is no biased when it comes down to the law/sex offender registry. No matter what we do as a society, no matter the precautions we take, no matter what we do to violate another person's privacy... its still going to happen by other people, in another place, in another city. I know its all hard for you all to believe, but there are some out there that don't re-offend. One of the best ways and getting them help-whether it be giving a panhandler money till he gets by to rightfully be on social security because of a physical disability, hiring them-so that they can be working class citizens and not have more stresses, and housing them (in our cities) or our towns to give them a chance at life... all in the sake of making of increasing the possibility statisticallly that some don't re-offend.
Yes, call me crazy-go right ahead. However, I know first hand because I am a SURVIVOR (of sexual abuse, rape, and even sexual harassment). I takes a lot of guts to forgive and let go. There is nothing more empowering and NO ONE from SJ who wants to make a rude comment back to me, or society, or anyONE else can take that away from me.
Queenhoneybee gives me the
Submitted by Scotty_O on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 10:10.
Queenhoneybee gives me the hives.
including a burglary
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:55.
including a burglary conviction in 1986 when he was sentenced to serve three years in jail, with all but 90 days suspended, the 1997 sex conviction and a conviction in 1988 for unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs and theft by unauthorized taking. He was sentenced to serve five years in prison on the 1988 charges, concurrent with sentences for convictions of misdemeanor assault, burglary and theft. He also has 14 misdemeanor convictions, including convictions for theft, assault, criminal mischief and criminal trespass. ..............................i suggest you re-read this story lady, you are not the only one that was a victim of a sex predator on here either, looks like he DID make a few bucks BURGLARIZING!!!!!!! what a LOSER!!!!!!!!!! take him home with you PLEASE!!!!!!!!
No, no honey-I am a
Submitted by queenhoneeybee on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 10:11.
No, no honey-I am a SURVIVOR, not a victum. =]
don't call me honey, what is
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 10:21.
don't call me honey, what is the big different from a survivor and a victim????? even if you do shed some light on this, i still think this guy should get arrested the minute he leaves to go driving without a lisence and/or insurance, we all haave to have it, we all work in pain, and some of us have had a house fire too. time to suck it up and move on boy, your meal ticket is OVER!!!!!!! thanks again sunjournal!!!!!!! i think i will go make a sign and stand at the other end of wallyworld, after all Christmas is coming!
The difference between a
Submitted by shilton45 on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 11:17.
The difference between a victim and a survivor is, a victim will be victimized for the rest of their life. Either by their own hand or that of others. A survivor is someone that takes what happened to them, uses it to benefit and help others and.....THEN MOVES ON! Not blaming others for their lives!
Queenhoneybee, aren't you a
Submitted by janedoe on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:38.
Queenhoneybee, aren't you a martyr. Why don't YOU feed, shelter, and clothe this guy and his wife, hmmm?
I hope this little paragraph you've constructed doesn't happen to be part of a college research paper, because it sucks. If you've ever taken a glance through the sex offender registry for Lewiston-Auburn, you would see how often these predators re-offend!!!! Do your research!!!
1. You assume that any
Submitted by sj_reader on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:24.
1. You assume that any replies to your post will be rude. What does that say? Why do you assume this?
2. I believe that a convicted sex offender immediately lost their right to have privacy when they violated the privacy of another. Sex offenses are not an easy conviction to obtain - think for a moment the disrespect, pain, horror this man may have caused another human being that they did not ask for such a crime be committed against them. Perhaps that person is not yet ready to forgive.
3. This "panhandler" is not just making money to get by or to have a chance. As the article states, he is earning an estimated $60 per hour UNDER THE TABLE. That translates to almost $100 an hour a normal tax-paying citizen would earn. Granted he's not doing this 40 hours per week or in inclement weather, he's making more than a vast majority of the people reading this paper are, is my assumption. Think of it, if he sets up shop and someone hands him a $20 - that's the equivalent of a high school student at BK working about 6 hours at $8/hr. Perspective.
4. A sentiment I often go by - what if everyone did as we do. In other words, what if everyone in the world abused the welfare system as some do, what if everyone required a motorized grocery store cart because they weren't able to get around because they were obese and consequently wanted the health care system to work for them because they made poor health choices on a daily basis and smoked tobacco as some do, what if everyone abused the insurance industry and chose to sue at every opportunity as some do. These people are cheaters in my mind I don't have compassion for them. Alternatively, what if everyone volunteered their time to help at homeless shelters as some do, what if everyone helped an elderly person cross a busy street as some do, what if everyone smiled and said hello as they walked by as some do, and what if those who were once helped by the welfare system paid back their good graces once they were established as some do. If any of these became true - society as a whole would be entirely different. Those who expect help based on their poor choices are not good people and are the reason we go to work everyday and pay the taxes we hard working citizens do.
hey lady, when he first got
Submitted by yeah right on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:20.
hey lady, when he first got here he was lying to us and saying he was feeding his kids, right? where are they all of a sudden, some people donating are hurting too, but to feel sorry for a liar, come on give us a break, maybe you can house him in your garage or something.
You can forgive all you
Submitted by Mac antSaior on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:20.
You can forgive all you want. I've worked around the system long enough to know that predators do not rehabilitate. What this guy needs is a short drop and a sudden stop.
It is the undauntable thought, my friend. The one that says, "I'm right!" ~Bobby Sands
This scumbag is a child
Submitted by J on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 08:46.
This scumbag is a child molester! Don't give this piece of $&@* ANYTHING except 4 rubber marks to the face.
Here's a radical idea -
Submitted by 1231414 on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 08:45.
Here's a radical idea - perhaps a thieving sex offender is just as sick as a schizophrenic or somebody with a bad heart. If so, is he not just as deserving of help and perhaps COMPASSION? No well person would choose his lifestyle! Think about it, and for God's sake, somebody help that man!
I saw that guy at the corner
Submitted by jayla on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 09:39.
I saw that guy at the corner of Lisbon & Main last week!
I can't believe this guy
Submitted by Pandora on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 08:32.
I can't believe this guy wanted this in the paper. The comments I'm reading certainly are not in support of him. He really thought this might bring him help? The one thing this article brought to my attention is the lack of punishment of his crimes. All his sentences were suspended with a few days served. The system kept putting this guy back on the street. This shows me our judicial system is seriously broken. I have no sympathy for this guy obviously he never learned his lesson and kept committing crimes. And he goes to where the cops don't bother him. I hope they bother him now. I'd wager my life savings that someone will call the cops on him now.
I would like to thank the
Submitted by taxpayer on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 08:26.
I would like to thank the Sun Journal for publishing this article. This is great reporting! I've driven past this guy and at first felt bad for him but soon had an uneasy feeling about him. I guess my gut was right! I hope the Auburn PD will follow this scum as he leaves one day and ticket him for everything under the sun!
A reminder that the best way
Submitted by lake auburn pete on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 07:30.
A reminder that the best way to help the truly needy is through one of the many legitimate charities serving their needs. The $60 per hour this guy is raking in would support several families.
I work in Augusta & saw him
Submitted by jayla on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 07:21.
I work in Augusta & saw him there on a daily basis for months. When I saw him in Auburn a couple of weeks ago I was so angry. Stop using your apartment fire to make a living!! I know plenty of people who have lost HOUSES who have CHILDREN & can pull it together! Excuses...excuses.
Isn't there a panhandling
Submitted by DonaldR on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 07:14.
Isn't there a panhandling ordinance in Auburn? If not, there should be...today.
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Myfourkids, your comment
Myfourkids, your comment "What is to stop anyone from standing around doing this if one person is allowed to?" is right on target. I've been in cities where tourists must essentially run a gauntlet of panhandlers whenever they're in the touristy areas. Panhandlers don't generally beg where they live. They go to where the people with deeper pockets are. Panhandlers can become remarkably aggressive, even intimidating, particularly when there's a passle of them in one area, competing for handouts. No, not all of them are problematic. But even one aggressive beggar is too many. I applaud Augusta for getting rid of these bums at the Marketplace. Who wants to shop where you're constantly getting harassed by bums? I'm not crazy about buskers either, but at least they DO something for the money they hope to collect from passersby.
BTW, I didn't see Stevens at his usual spot today. Perhaps he was taking a V-day.