The problem with them is there are many people living on the street for a reason - not necessarily just drug charges, but violent crimes or severe/dangerous mental illness. It unfortunately isn't worth the risk many times. Yes, there may be the genuine good guy who was dealt the wrong cards in life, but you never know.

Then there's the "professional" beggars. I would give loose change to them every so often when I had probably up until probably a decade ago. Then one time, my friend got approached with me. The guy asked for some money for food. My friend said he doesn't have any, but he'll bring him into the corner shop and buy him a pizza. He did. Then he started asking for more money. Couldn't figure out why if he got his food already - "well, I just need a pack of cigarettes." So, my friend offered to buy him a pack. The guy said, "well, can you just give me the money? I don't want to waste your time. I'll buy them on my own."

My friend insisted on buying the pack over giving the money. The guy said, "fuck it", walked away, and cursing my friend and calling him an asshole. My friend was extremely kind and trying to help the guy.

So because that ungrateful asshole who was trying to take advantage of my friend and I, I don't give a dime to people begging anymore. Especially a few years later where there was a local beggar in town who someone investigated and found he was living in a half-decent apartment and would intentionally dirty himself daily to look homeless. I believe local news stations do exposes on these "homeless" people all the time, and find out they make some serious bank if they play their cards right on where to beg.

So unfortunately now, age and experience has led me to have to take the sad approach of "just ignore them and keep walking." It would be nice if we can help everyone, but we can't - any I'd rather keep myself safe while not giving my money to scam artists.