7 Lakes Gets First Panhandler

November 28, 2022

This month Moore County residents of the 7 Lakes community reported their first panhandler in the area.  This received mixed reviews from the residents as most are willing to provide aid for the homeless, but others do not understand why they are so far out of the city limits and need to stay closer to Southern Pines. In the early 2000s, Moore County recorded only 1 homeless man, Charlie Rose, who did in fact turn out to have a physical address. While this did not technically make him homeless, he still biked around town receiving handouts from generous citizens.  Since 2010 the county has seen a rise in homelessness, with 1 new panhandler appearing each year, some staying as long as 2 years at a time.  Currently, each town has a maximum of 2 street dwellers, leaving Gerald Crump, the newest homeless addition to 7 Lakes with no other location in which to move.  Gerald, who goes by the nickname Crumpy, was questioned by reporters on what led to his long-distance panhandling choice. “2 gas stations, a McDonalds and Greenbows is all I need to keep my belly full, plus I have the choice of Mexican food if I want an international meal”, said Crumpy when asked how he could survive so far out of the downtown area.  He also mentioned the large growth in the homeless population around the town center, describing it as having a “homeless hagiarchy”.  “When I would panhandle in Wilmington, we could all go out on the beach, and you couldn’t tell who was who, and everyone got along.  Here in Moore County, the panhandler in Pinehurst doesn’t want you taking his golf tourists, the Southern Pines beggar doesn’t want you disrupting his military sympathy, and Aberdeen’s doesn’t want you hogging the little space she has to work with.  They all live behind Walmart, and for any new homeless to the area, they take a cut from what residents give you as payment, allowing you to keep begging for a price”.  Not wanting to pay a toll, Crumpy said he is happy working for himself around 7 Lakes.  Residents to the area like Peggy Glenwood do not think this is best for their blossoming town.  “It’s suffocating”, Peggy said when asked what the town thought about its newest resident.  “He’s no resident of ours.  He might as well go back behind Walmart; my neighbors don’t want to be approached by dirty homeless while getting gas or eggs”.  When asked what the most difficult adjustment to having homeless in 7 Lakes was, she said, “we used to be able to stand outside and chat with people, but now we have to make up excuses why we don’t have money and run back to our cars.” The 7 Lakes HOA has decided to have a meeting on the first of January to determine Crumpy's best interest.