For what it’s worth, beggars alongside roadways in Beaumont are an extreme rarity. Whether it’s because the city officials don’t put up with such crap, or because the residents are tight-fisted with their dough and unwelcoming of bums, I’m not sure. Probably a bit of both.
Houston and Austin seem much more embracing of them.
I lived in Austin for a while. I worked downtown. I started to recognize the bums/beggars/panhandlers. Downtown is pretty small. I was out at dinner with colleagues one Friday evening at an upscale restaurant. I noticed a much cleaner and well dressed version of a gentlemen having dinner with his wife (apparently). I likely would not have recognized him except he had an odd walk (that was apparently not faked).
When I pointed him out to some co-workers, one girl said, "I've given him money!" I told her she should make a sign of her own and pull up a chair at his table. She refused.
By the way, he and his wife left, via vallet, in a pretty nice Honda Accord. I couldn't see for sure if he tipped the guy that brought his car but I was looking for it.
In Houston, I see panhandlers, Liberty Tax folk, gold buyers, apartment advertisers, etc. all the time standing near the roads or at the intersections. I have never heard of them being arrested.