Littlepage: We need to clear downtown of hobos

[jaxmortgageguy]

Haven't posted to the site in a while, but I do check the stories and comments daily. Thought I would share an experience I had with my sons on Sunday afternoon.  Had planned to go to the air show, but because of the temperature and wind my father opted out and we decided not to go. Instead I grabbed my 2 boys (10 and 13) and jumped in the car and decided to head downtown (kids like to see the fountain and cross the main street bridge (wife does not). Arrived approx. 12:00, parked near MOSH, walked around the fountain for a few minutes (looks great!) and started our trek across the bridge. Stopped halfway to take a phone picture to send to the wife. Around this time we were met my a homeless person who at first passed by with no incident. Soon after, the alarm sounded indicating the bridge was about to lift for a few sailboats waiting to pass under. Said hobo turned around (now behind us) and began yelling and cursing profanities toward both my sons and I. ("They will kill everyone, They will blow your heads off! They will eat your F*^$ing brains!") over and over. Wheather he was even talking to us or just rambling to the sky makes no matter. He was walking faster towards us as my kids started to pick up speed to get OFF THE BRIDGE asap. Both he and us ducked under the gate to proceed toward the landing.  He was still shouting the same profanities and following us closely. I want to be clear that I did not feel like I was in harm (more annoyed) and I have spent a lot of time on New York city (growing up on Long Island). Here is the point to this post. MY KIDS WERE BOTH TERRIFIED! We got to the landing (which was a ghost town) where we had planned to have lunch. (upstairs was locked?) we quickly decided to re cross the bridge, get to our car and leave. I have spent a lot of time downtown over the last 9 years, and have been a Jaguar season ticket holder for 5 with no negative incident (other than to many Jag losses) But it will be hard to get either son to "hit the town" anytime soon. This was a random unfortunate experience, but underscores the need to handle the homeless problem downtown... It is impeding growth!