Hemming Park and Homeless Issues Downtown. Administration Rethink.

[jtwestside]

The "enforce the law" idea, sadly, will not work.

Really? It seems to be working for Orlando. I think the current solution of making them feel as welcome as possible, whether that is downtown, or in some other corner of town is not the answer.

I really hate to be cruel, but if they need treatment they are not likely to seek it when they are being enabled by an entire city. I've been to San Francisco and they have a pretty liberal policy there too. They also have bums sleeping and begging on every corner. It's all about what you want to deal with.

I think we need to get back to some founding principles.

http://www.founding.com/founders_library/pageID.2146/default.asp

I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.

[Johnny]

I have to agree with jtw, we are so easy on our homeless in Jax and they just keep coming to this city and hanging out. That's the population in Jax growing the fastest probably. Check out the new pocket park in front of the library. I knew it would be wasted money and stated as much prior to it being built (as did many others here), not sure how our incompetent planners could not foresee that coming. If you can't enforce the law, then don't build stuff like that. As for it being police, tax payers & the judges problem, I don't agree with that either, but until there is a fix, it's a burden we must all accept. If locking them up for a night does nothing else, at least it can get them a shower and possibly much needed medical attention (I assume that and de-lousing is something done after they are booked?). 

[jaxtrader]

Enforcement worked in New York, and worked quickly. Before we throw our hands up in despair, we should at least attempt to apply the tactics that the Giuliani administration employed with such success.

[Johnny]

Well, pulling them for the night isn't only for a delouse & a shave. I think identifying is important as well. There are bound to be many of these homeless people out there that are currently wanted for various crimes.

Also, that $750 is dwarfed by all of the money spent on a pocket park that houses 6 homeless people at any given time.

[jaxtrader]

If one takes the park's cost of $700,000, divide by six transients...amortized over the 30 year life of the park before it needs major renovation...you'll find its actually quite cost-effective!!

[Johnny]

Though I know you are joking...

That doesn't factor in the loss of tax revenue and amount of people that continue to drive instead of stopping and spending $ in the core.

The 6 bums in that park at any given time sipping their beer and throwing trash on the ground is more effective than a billboard. Unfortunately, the message is - Keep Driving, spend your $ elsewhere!

[strider]

Think day center....in fact, didn't they sort of do that for the super bowl? Yep, a glorified day care for the homeless.  In a day center, the homeless could get showered, new (used donated) clothes and also get "identified", though the ones the JSO would want the most would soon learn to not go to the day center, and perhaps figure out a way to stop being homeless.  And I bet it could be done for less than $ 20.00 per day per person "serviced". So, how many people could have been helped with that 700K used for the park?

[tufsu1]

If one takes the park's cost of $700,000, divide by six transients...amortized over the 30 year life of the park before it needs major renovation...you'll find its actually quite cost-effective!!

and how exactly woul you would propose to FDOT that $700,000 in transportation enhancement funds be spent on the homeless?

[gatorback]

Been in J-1 many times. Once, this homeless guy just flat out asked the judge to put him up.  I think it was the "let 'em go" one.  The judge told the homeless guy the court could not just keep housing him.

[NotNow]

Tough problem, and an expensive one.  While my Christian faith tells me that I must minister to the wretched and homeless, and give charity....my experience with our homeless minions is one of facing drug addicted, drunken, slovenly, filthy, lazy, and sometime criminals who accept only that which enables them to continue on their chosen hazy, stumble through life choices.  While I realize that there are folks who temporarily slide into homelessness and need our help, clearly we need new rules and standards which can be enforced nationally.  There, I have pointed out the obvious problem, now one of you really smart people give us the answer.

[jbm32206]

I certainly don't have the answer and just wanted to say that I'm in total agreement with what you said. As a Christian, I have the personal conflict between wanting to help and finding the majority of those who wander the streets, disgusting and not of higher moral fortitude. I will (and have) help those and believe in helping those who have fallen into hard times, those who have given their all, and simply were outweighed by circumstances....those are the ones worth supporting the various programs and shelters for...the ones that want to better their situations and honestly need/want help.

I have also found that over the years, my level of empathy for those who opt to part take in criminal activities, abuse drugs and made the choice to remain on the streets...has dwindled to zero tolerance. I also believe that something more needs to be done about these individuals, be haven't the answer as to what.

[tufsu1]

I'm not an expert on the Christian faith, but doesn't it teach that we should cotinue to help and guide those who may not have the highest moral fortitude....did Jesus give up on anyone?

[jbm32206]

Well given the fact that I'm not Christ and never, ever claimed to be as righteous as He....and I did say that I have a conflict with what I'm taught as a Christian and what I've discovered about many of these persons. As a Christian, we should also forgive....and I cannot find it within myself to forgive those who have committed certain crimes. That's something I'll have to answer for when I meet my maker.

Yes the Christian beliefs say that...and no, Jesus didn't give up....guess that's what made Him the son of God and me...well, I just happen to be a human with less than perfect attributes. The Bible also tells us that "God helps those who help themselves" and yet many of these persons refuse to do that...so where does that leave us?

[gatorback]

I think if you get up each day and expect God to do amazing things in your life you would be amazed.  I encourage you to do your best and make a commitment to each one of those homeless.

[jbm32206]

So I should make a commitment to each of the homeless? That's ridiculous, at best. I have and will continue to support various sources that do provide help, and I would hope that those that truly need the help, get it. At some point, these people need to make an effort on their own behalf.