We have bums just like that. And some of them are definitely not that powerless to work. they just chose to be beggars.
I often cross a small bridge to my way to University and there are as a rule at least 1 begging person (they have like shifts or something, since they never stay as a group).
I f*** hate them, because while I work, they probably can get at least a part of the money I earn, simply bu standing there. f***k them!