Daniel Harvey begs at Southbank. Picture: Jon Hargest Source: Herald Sun
BEGGARS have warned crime will increase in Melbourne's CBD if police crack down on desperate people asking for money.
People struggling to live on pensions and disability support told the Herald Sun the kindness of Melburnians was helping them to survive their life on the streets.
Their response comes after Lord Mayor Robert Doyle called for vagrants to be removed from the streets after complaints about threatening behaviour. But the move has prompted outrage among Victoria's poorest residents, who fear they will be forced into a life of crime.
Daniel Harvey, 34, has been homeless since he was 17 and suffers a mental illness.
Dressed in an old T-shirt and shorts, he sports a black eye from the most recent time he was attacked while living on the streets.
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He warned many people were living below the poverty line and even a few dollars made a difference.
"Would he (Doyle) rather me make my living through crime?" Mr Harvey said.
"I guarantee it would happen. The Government allows asylum seekers in this country and gives them housing, even loans for cars.
"They're not looking after their own. It makes me question what is going on."
Another beggar, David, said: "What do they want us to do - start robbing people?"
Gabriele Falone said he was so desperate he begged so he could eat. "I don't walk up to people, I would feel ashamed to," he said.
He said on Saturday he made $15. At 11am yesterday he had made 15c from one mother's donation.
A cabinet maker, he has been on the streets since 2000, the year his parents died.
He admitted he did not like asking for money, but said free food was not easily accessible.
The anti-begging strategy, an initiative by Melbourne City Council, police and the Salvation Army, aims to place the struggling citizens into a compulsory diversion program.
Cr Doyle said complaints about beggars had risen.
He labelled some beggars as "confronting and threatening" and urged people to "never give beggars money".
christopher.gillett@news.com.au
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