My husband and I had designated this past weekend as a "last minute getaway" weekend - and went to Chicago (brrrrrr!). While there, we saw a group of four African American teenagers who were on a streetcorner along Michigan Ave's "Mag Mile", performing on 5 gallon buckets as a percussion line. They were quite talented - and a crowd gathered to cheer them on and contribute money.
The "concert" was brought to an abrupt start when a policeman charged thru the crowd and grabbed their money collection bucket. He then whipped out his handcuffs and waved them in the air - he told the boys, "If you want this money, come get it. Get out of here and be glad I don't arrest you for not having a permit." The crowd booed, and the officer disappeared with the bucket before I could see his name or badge. Several of us in the crowd went up to the boys and gave them some more money and told them that we appreciated their performance.
All up and down Michigan Ave., the Salvation Army posted performers and bell ringers to solicit funds. There were also countless homeless people shaking their cups and asking for spare change. It is unfathomable to me why these four kids who were actually "working" in 20 degrees, snow, and wind chills below zero should have been treated this way by the officer. If they were obstructing traffic or creating a safety hazard, the officer could have suggested that they move - BUT NOT taken their money.
What kind of lesson does this send to these kids? Why are only permitted performers allowed? Does the Salvation Army have some sort of "monopoly" on the Mag Mile?