Beggars are a permanent part of any rural and metropolitan scene. Some are known by business owners and the police, because they are often suspected of theft, fencing, prostitution and related illicit activity. Even though most of them spend much of their time on the streets, most are not homeless. They concentrate on areas of high pedestrian traffic, such as downtown business districts and public gathering spots such as city bus stops, train stops, airports, parks, restaurants and hospitals. For some, begging is only one survival tactic sporadically used along with other opportunities for income, including theft, and the selling of personal possessions, blood, plasma, drugs, government- issued vouchers, and other illegal goods and services.
