Today I witnessed a very distressing incident while exiting from the parking lot by Target and Home Depot in Bend. I was the third car from the highway, waiting to turn right on U.S. Highway 97. I noticed that a beggar was standing on a small island holding up a cardboard sign to the cars that were passing him on the way out of the lot.

I don’t know what the sign said, probably something like “All contributions gratefully accepted.” As the second car ahead of me drew up next to him, I could tell that the driver was saying something to the beggar.

Although I could not hear the conversation, it apparently made him mad. As the driver pulled out onto 97, the beggar threw down his sign and picked up a small stone from a pile he had beside him and threw it at the retreating car.

By then, I had gone past his position and was also out on 97 myself. I was alarmed to see the beggar running down the sidewalk chasing the offending driver’s car, all the while making obscene gestures with both hands. I have also seen these people urinating in the bushes right by the highway.

I find it disgusting that Target, Home Depot and the other stores in that shopping complex apparently allow these professional beggars on their property. If the police continue to ignore the situation, perhaps the public should let the store managers know that such behavior is not acceptable.

Don Anderson

Redmond