Should there be laws that make it illegal to impersonate a Veteran while panhandling to obtain money on the street?

Personally I think all panhandling should be illegal if it isn't already. I am a very charitable person and always willing to help someone down on their luck, but more and more people are taking advantage of the quick cash that I am now less inclined to help someone.

For instance, my mother saw an old man holding a sign claiming to be a homeless vet. She went home, grabbed a spare blanket, stopped at McDonald's and bought a couple value meals, and then gave the man those plus a couple singles she keeps in her wallet just in case. The guy threw the blanket and food on the ground, took the money, then spit on my mother for "not having more". A couple weeks later, she saw the same old man coming out of an apartment building. Not as homeless as he claimed.

Another instance, I've seen the same woman holding up various signs from "homeless, need help" to "Stranded, need money for a ride home". She hung out near the local Walmart to elicit pity money from the shoppers. Saw her there for a few weeks. Eventually she even brought a little dog into her game because who can't resist a puppy. Whether it was hers or not I'll never know. But too many people are out there preying off of the charity of others and it steals from those who actually do need that charity.

Yes, but there wont be...

CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern No, such a law would just add more work for the cops on the beat, and not actually resolve any issues - might just be an overnight in the local hoosegow for the panhandler. Most panhandlers would just ignore the law anyway.