Who is watching the store?

I have some issues with certain collectors. Most are fine and appropriate, but the minority give the others a bad name and reputation.

We are told to be courteous and compassionate to those collecting Tzedoko, but some of them really make it difficult. Like the ones who collect from Borchu to Shemone Esrei, and even bother people in the middle of Shema, or those who approach the Shliach Tzibbur, which is never appropriate, as he is busy. ( Sometimes even in the middle of Chazoras HaShatz, which is extreme, but it has happened).

I assume these people are all frum and daven themselves, why can't they have a sensitivity to the people they are collecting from as well. Some shuls will put limits on when collecting is allowed, and although it might sound small minded, it is usually done after collectors have abused the good intentions of the Congregation.

Another thing I find somewhat irritating is the total lack of recognition on the part of the collectors. I recognize the two gentlemen who come every Friday, and the man who comes Thursday morning with his sign, my question is, if I give them money, and then move over a row, they ask me again, as if they have never seen me before! This happens mostly at the end of davening, when people are finishing, and then leaving, and will be approached by the same person two or three times. We are not just "marks" and it is sad to realize that we are perceived as such.

However, what I saw this morning makes everything else pale by comparison. First, a little background. I live within walking distance of the shul, and by virtue of that, I am in the "parking zone" where people will park for davening or events in the shul. I don't have a big problem with it, but some of the neighbors do.

Well, this morning as davening was finishing, and elderly ( white haired) gentleman came into shul with a younger man, both collecting. I recognized them, as my shul is obviously on their route. They walked out just ahead of me and got into their minivan, which had a handicapped sticker hanging from the window. ( I will be Don L'chav ZS'chus here and assume some other use of the car involves a handicapped person, but it surely wasn't either of the two collectors.)

They were parked across the street from the shul, on the side no one is supposed to park on, and no other cars were there. This is excusable, I guess, as there are no signs posted, and they are not from the neighborhood. What disturbed me the most is that the car was parked 3/4 of the way on my neighbor's grass. The grass is very soft now, and he happens to take care of his lawn.

Then it got worse. The car started to make a K-turn, but instead of doing the bulk of the turn on the pavement of the street, the driver ( who was the younger collector) backs up, perhaps ten feet onto the lawn that they were already significantly on top of, and turns around.

I was appalled that someone could have such little regard for someone else's property to just drive up and about on the lawn. I don't see how someone like that can be trusted with the public's money ( assuming they are collecting for someone else) if they so carelessly destroy property that doesn't belong to them.

I don't think I will be giving them any more money in the future.