Tim,
I'm 100% in tune with what your saying. You have to be alert to the crooks out there. As my daughter gets older I get more concerned for her safety when she isn't with me. Jeez how am I going to handle it when she starts dating!?!?
I was helping do some renovation the other day at a friends new workout business and we were done just talking and I spot a guy walking back and forth around the door. I'm watching thinking he is up to something and sure enough he comes in and walks about two steps but never makes eye contact with me. So after about two seconds I speak up and ask him if I can help him(at this point I'm wishing I had my pistol on me). He looks at me and I see set of weird looking eyes. I'm talking high, drunk pill head type of look so I told him we are not open. He walks toward us and the woman in the group walks toward me and I step toward the guy and said "we not open what can I do for you" I'm not playing now and I think he knew it. He stopped and said man I'm from hazard and my papaw was just buried up here and my car broke down and I'm looking for some help. I laughed and said I bet you need $26 for a ticket huh? He tried to answer and I told him I have heard this junk before and we don't need to waste any more time. Just turn around and leave. He gets all teared up and said he just needs help not money. So I pointed him to where the salvation army is along with a few churches in the area. He said thanks and I said no problem sorry bout your luck brother.
This doofus turns around and says but if I had a dollar to spare he would be thankful to me. I said no money here and it's time for you to go. He left and about 15 minutes later we left and wouldn't you know it he isn't on the road to the salvation army but at the local fast food place talking to an older woman in the parking lot. He was still peddling his crap story that I have heard 4-5 times in the last few years. I'll help a fella if I can but if I think the guy or gal is lying I'll let them know and they can move on. World is full of these folks who live to bum off of folks working for a living.