NLT's use of "scum" instead of "sinners"

I love the NLTse. It is a pure pleasure to read, but in Matthew 9:11, Mark 2:16, and Luke 5:30, I would prefer the translation to read "sinners" or "sinners such as these" over "scum." Scum sounds too irreverent, and personally, I believe it cheapens God's word somewhat, making it read like dialogue from a Star Wars ' script. The footnotes in some versions read, "Greek with tax collectors and sinners," but who wants to read the footnote for such a verse? What do you think?

11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[a]”

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 9:11 Greek with tax collectors and sinners?