I hate it. I used to associate it with Maryland but they are all over Fairfax now. They go to the richest areas and people who give them cash are stupid. The number of them that smoke cigarettes (which are what now, $5 a pack?) is unbelievable. I saw one the other day get bills from 4 people in a two minute time, probably one dollar bills but maybe a 5 in ther. Either way, that’s well over $100/hr pace which would be 200k a year if they actually worked at it full time. Like the article says, there are good programs in the county. No one should have to beg for anything. If you give them money, you are doing them a disservice, probably fueling their habit and preventing them from getting the help they need.
https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2019/07/proposal-would-prohibit-panhandling-from-fairfax-county-va-medians-and-intersections/