A freelance reporter and an intern for YES! Weekly were downtown this afternoon, working on a story about homelessness and panhandling. Apparently, they planned to do some reality reporting, aka “undercover.” But they soon attracted the attention of local law enforcement.

My source reports that, among other things, the pair were dressed in a “disheveled” manner; they were walking on opposite sides of the sidewalk and talking on their cellphones; they made panhandling signs out of a cardboard box; they walked down to a closed business; and they got into a car with out-of-state tags. All the while, they remained under the watchful, and somewhat puzzled eyes of Greensboro’s finest, who finally asked what was going on.

The big irony? Any homeless panhandler can tell you that the idea is to avoid the popos, not attract them. ;)

I recount the story for two reasons: 1.) I thought it was a little bit funny, and 2.) I’m always glad to hear that reporters are writing about homelessness in Greensboro, and I hope they got some good material while they were out there. I’m looking forward to reading the article and I hope you are, too.

Update, 12/12/06: John Kirby’s article has been published in YES! Weekly. Read it online here. Good reporting and writing. :)

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