On the specific topic: I don’t like these guys either. I do find them intimidating, and so wouldn’t mind if the practice was made illegal.
But of course the root of the problem is the lack of employment in the inner cities of this country, and that is mainly because we as a society have neglected these people, failed to provide them proper education and economic opportunity to succeed in the marketplace.
The articles talk about the non-profit money being spent on work programs for these marginalized youth.
"Only today was different. Drivers seemed more hesitant to let him wash their windows. By noon, he had earned about $25, much less than the $70 he usually makes in the same time frame. Johnson, 19, said one driver threatened to pull out a gun after Johnson asked whether the driver could “support the hustle.” Johnson said he and his fellow squeegee workers backed up with caution."
"Despite the atmosphere, Johnson said he had no choice but to return to the North Baltimore intersection. He had to work despite the possible dangers. He needed the cash to provide for his 8-month-old and the child’s mother. Johnson had tried a city job training program with the thought of leaving the streets, but the culinary arts program didn’t offer the immediate cash squeegeeing does.
“We can’t leave just because we feel in danger,” Johnson said. “It’s like a gamble.”
Later in the day, a driver gave Johnson a $50 bill."
That driver giving $50 bears the blame. If this "hustle" continues to pay, squeegee work will never dry up.
"Inside, Michael Custis, a 22-year-old on-and-off squeegee worker, filled out a job application and underwent his first interview with Baltimore Department of Public Works. He was asked about his skills, to which he replied “good with math” and “patient.” He learned the first from counting money. He earned his patience working with his aunt at a day care center."
"Custis filled out his first tax forms for a conditional job offer and walked away from the job fair table feeling hopeful. It’d be his first real job, one with a new environment and new people.
“Better off get a job, go home, than be out here [with] swinging bats,” Custis said.
Most of the interviewed squeegee workers have been aged 15-21. Most are fully grown but many are under 18 and therefore exempt from charges, as they understand. So the under 18 workers usually hold the weapons and are also the most bold with their actions. Why not? They have seen friends do similar stuff and face little trouble.
. It’s a grift rooted in intimidation, should be illegal.
