LETTER TO THE EDITOR / Duval Street Scammers
My son & I have been here for over a week. Several times a day, whenever we walk by the skin cream predators at 119 Duval, near Bagatelle, launch into a personal attack against my disabled son with Cerebral Palsy and myself. I have never felt so victimized and bullied. They yell insults at both of us and my son no longer feels safe here because of them. He was bullied as a child by children, but this is the first time we have experienced bullying by adults. Because of his disability, he is lonely. This morning, I asked my son to walk on the right side of me, hoping they would not see me. It didn’t work. The female started taunting us, yelling is he your bodyguard?
Now my precious son is afraid to come back to his favorite place on earth because of these people? They launch into personal attacks on innocent people here on vacation?
I am on chemo and look forward to escaping here every December for bonding time with my son, doing fun stuff. Last week, I noticed them looking at my jewelry <<>> rings and gold watch, it has been an onslaught of bullying since. I look forward to coming here all year. I shouldn’t have to take my limited vacation time to report them or even think about them, but it hasn’t changed, it has only gotten worse.
Melody Tyrrell
Middletown, NY
These people are horrible. My wife and I have walked by, thanking them while refusing their “free” packets as we walked by. On at least 2 occasions they have taunted me and my wife as we passed by. A girl kept asking us if we were afraid of her. These people generate bad-will among the visitors. I have seen them belittle others, but not to the extent experienced by Ms Tyrell, who I believe based on my past experiences.
Call the police on them.
These people are scum. We need to start harassing then THEM to see how they like it.
Best idea ever!
These stores are an embarrassment to our Duval street. The city needs to make them stay inside their ripoff stores. I also cross the street so I don’t have to deal with their comments and saying NO is not an enough . Even when you tell them I live here, no. The white line needs to be put inside the door a few feet, not at the edge of the entrance where they attack people passing bye. Their peddling licesen should consist of ethic and customer service classes !!!
I agree with George. Stage a counter action against them. Q. Are they Americans???
They are mostly Israelis. Many are working here illegally. When you pass their stores, try taking their pictures. They will run and hide. Iftell them to go home. Intervene if someone is falling for their sales pitch. If a husband is waiting outside a store, tell him to make sure his wife doesn’t give him a credit card. Take action!
They are mostly Israelis. Many are working here illegally. When you pass their stores, try taking their pictures. They will run and hide. Tell them to go home. Intervene if someone is falling for their sales pitch. If a husband is waiting outside a store, tell him to make sure his wife doesn’t give them a credit card. Take action!