Attempted strong-arm robbery reported on West Main Street, Batavia

There's a lot of panhandling in that vicinity (WalMart in particular), with the drug dealers shielded in rows of cars waiting to sell the said panhandlers their drug fix.

The only panhandlers at Walmart are the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and hockey teams. The only drug dealer is Walmart pharmacy. If you see it as often as you claim you should report it.

I have reported
the panhandlers to management. I also don't consider the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc to be panhandlers, as you obviously do! The Walmart Pharmacy dispenses legal drugs to people with a prescription. A drug dealer sells illegal drugs such as heroin and I fail to grasp how you don't see the distinction between drug dealer and panhandlers.

Management is not law enforcement. Call the police.

All law abiding folks need CCW. This activity is escalating and I see it getting much worse until enough innocent folks respond with serious personal protection actions.

I agree with you, Brian about a CCW for people who want one, along with a reasonable degree of restraint and common sense which most CCW Permit Holders exhibit. I carried as a Peace Officer for 39 years. I hardly need a know-it-all who can't distinguish between a panhandler and Girl Scout, or a Pharmacist and drug dealer to tell me what to do.

I agree with Rich and Brian, you should get a CCW. Don't want to carry, fine, but at least have the option to do it.

As for the stupid statement by Alvin, when you have permission to sell a product in front of Walmart, how is that panhandling? Of course, there is the possibility that Alvin just does not know the definition of the word "Panhandling", which could explain saying something so dumb.

Are you going to shoot a panhandler -- someone who tries to bum money from you? How about telling the person to get a job?

"How about telling a person to get a job?" Been there and done that.

Suppose things escalate. The panhandler or panhandlers are desperate for a fix. They are not thinking clearly.They see your retort,"Get a job" as disrespecting them. "Deadly weapons are displayed. Your call Billie.

Yes, you have a right to protect yourself from physical aggression. Fortunately, I've never had any interaction with a panhandler escalate. I personally would carry pepper spray rather than a gun, since things can go terribly wrong, and permanently, with a gun.

Nobody advocated shooting a panhandler. They are advocating being ready to protect yourself.

While the vast majority of panhandlers will go away when turned down, or at least not bother you more, some become aggressive and some assaultive.
Point here is, a CCW is an option for many.

Billie, God forbid you ever have such an interaction.Things can go terribly wrong with pepper spray if your assailant kills you. It often times doesn't work for people who are high, mentally ill or both.

I've been shaking off panhandlers since age 14 when I used to take the Trailways bus to downtown Rochester to go shopping. I never felt the need for a weapon, concealed or otherwise. Brian Graz... Don't you usually have a profile picture that looks like someone inflated you with a tire pump? Are you really afraid of panhandlers? All of you should have avoided watching the GOP convention on TV. You've been exposed to the feeble thought patterns that generate the paranoia.

It appears someone is living in an always safe make-believe world of nothing is going to happen to me. This continued narcissistic adolescent perception of invincibility, carried into adulthood, can be dangerous to one’s health.

C.M.
Concerning your question to Brian, "Don't you usually have a profile picture that looks like someone inflated you with a tire pump?"

I did a search back to December of 2016, and, even back then, Brian's "avatar" was just an off-angle view of a lowly chess pawn, as the majority of ours are. You aren't thinking of Tom's, are you? (see http://www.thebatavian.com/howard-b-owens/rep-collins-supports-gop-deci…

Ed, you are correct. I have misidentified Brian's avatar.

C.M. Barons seem to have a habit of making fun of peoples appearance. Remember when he ran against Steve Hawley and made fun of Steve's haircut and weight?

Nobody advocated shooting a panhandler?

“All law abiding folks need CCW. This activity is escalating…”

“This activity” referring to panhandlers and drug dealers in Walmart parking lot.

I wonder why the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. would want to “sell their products” at a location where so much flagrant panhandling and drug dealing is going on.

Seems like the idea of blowing away unarmed “mentally ill” panhandlers really turns some big talkers on.

John, don’t suppose calling people “dumb” and “stupid” gives you moral authority over CM.

Julie, I wrote that what Alvin said was dumb and stupid, not him. And it was and still is. As for CM, I just pointed out that he has a history of making fun of peoples looks.

Wow, talk about jumping to unwarranted and hysterical conclusions and ridiculous scenarios based on no facts whatsoever of what was said, and then putting words in other peoples’ mouths because you disagree with them. To further discredit herself; she gives CM a pass because she agrees with him while criticizing others because she doesn't.

I was NOT criticizing anyone. I had the profile pictures of Tom and Brian confused. If you check out Tom's picture you will see that I was referring to muscles not fat. ...So much for jumping to conclusions. Which is precisely why I rarely post on this site anymore.