Hemming Park and Homeless Issues Downtown. Administration Rethink.

strider · February 26, 2009, 08:04:25 PM

Actually, the labor pools pay minimum wage on up. I bet they wish they could get a way with $ 6.00 an hour! And they are struggling to find the work to send people out on. A few have closed various offices already and consolidated their businesses. This means the labor pools are becoming much more selective and the competition for the better jobs is fierce. This means more people out on the streets during the day.

Springfield Girl · February 28, 2009, 06:38:46 AM

I don't think plugging in hair trimmers or irons was a common occurence. Cell phones are a different story though. I am amazed at the number of homeless people I see that have cell phones. They use the temporary construction power poles to charge their phones in Springfield. I don't understand how you can't find a job or housing but you can figure out how to obtain and pay for a cell phone (then steal power to charge it.) They also have no problem working a computer as the computers at the library have been completely taken over by them. I would challenge anyone who feels sorry for these people to take a walk behind them and see what they are doing on those computers. I have and it's nothing productive. What the heck do they need with a cell phone or a computer? I think I'd be more concerned with getting a job or some education. Therein lies the answer though. They are not like you and me. What I have concluded after much observation is that the street people love to shoot the sh#t. They will sit around and talk all day long. They don't burden themselves with the daily grind of jobs, bills, families and other responsibilities. They would rather drink, chill and socialize all day and night in many cases. I live in the Urban Core and I long for a vibrant Downtown but I have all but given up on Jacksonville. Between the misguided efforts of the churches, non-profits and government I feel like this city has contributed to the problem to such an extent that the quality of life here is unsatisfactory. I cringe everytime I go downtown and see the bums outnumbering the decent people on the street. The Mayor should be ashamed and embarrassed of what he has allowed Hemming Plaza, the library and the surrounding pocket parks to become.

Springfielder · February 28, 2009, 06:51:25 AM

Springfield Girl, I couldn't agree with you more, and this is exactly why I have no sympathy for the vast majority of those you find hanging out in Hemming Plaza and the likes. It's disgusting to go to the library, let alone try and enjoy a few minutes at the park across the street...and it doesn't seem to matter what time of day it is, because they do out number the working class folks who just want to enjoy what we're paying for.

I do feel for and have no problem extending the hand up, for those who have fallen on hard times and want to better themselves...but I withdraw that hand up attitude when it comes to those who opt to sit around, drink (and whatever else) instead of doing everything possible to get themselves help and to get themselves back into being a productive member of society. I support the places that provide those kind of services for those who are sincerely trying to pick themselves back up...but not the places that just feed and house them for the night and boot them out during the day. I'm not talking about the ones who are mentally ill, but those who make the choice to not better improve their lives or situation. There's programs and facilities to help and it's up to them to take advantage of them.

stjr · February 28, 2009, 11:46:53 AM

I have no problem helping people down on their luck. But it really gets me when I see "regulars" begging at the bridge and interstate entry ramps around town looking for donations. These are just scam artists to me and it's amazing how many give them money.

They all look physically able and some of them have been around for years. Most all carry a handwritten carboard sign saying "God Bless" as if that gives them an official status of some sort. The standard get up is baggy, worn clothes, and the men are unshaven. If these people worked as hard in a job as they do begging, they would be far better off.

My support goes to social action organizations that hopefully are separating out the genuinely needy from those exploiting our society.

sheclown · February 28, 2009, 12:36:32 PM

There are those in every "occupation" which are playing the system and robbing the pockets of the honest people.

Ernest Street · February 28, 2009, 08:33:48 PM

My younger brother was employed with a law firm just off Hemming Park,and got a chance to observe several "Regulars" One woman would be dropped off,beg all day and take a cell phone out around 4pm and call for her male ride to pick her up.A favorite by my 5 points digs is for someone to tell you they broke down off 95 and need gas to get back on the road.One FOOL asked me twice one day! I laughed out loud when I asked if he remembered hitting me up earlier.I seem to be bothered more on foot or Bike. With my current financial conditions NO is the answer.I know how to Base Labor if I have to...You can too.

Springfielder · February 28, 2009, 08:41:55 PM

I don't give people on the streets money, but will offer to buy them something to eat. Oddly enough, they just about never want that. It's really rare when someone will take me up on the offer.

urbanlibertarian · February 28, 2009, 08:45:59 PM

Ever offer to buy them a beer? They seldom turn that down.

sheclown · February 28, 2009, 08:52:54 PM

The challenge we are all presented with is avoiding the easy path of contempt for the homeless because a percentage are con men. It is something Strider and I deal with all of the time. But, like I said before, same is true for lawyers, doctors, insurance salesmen, priests. You name it. We are all regular targets for The Con just packaged differently.

NotNow · February 28, 2009, 08:59:09 PM

Interesting point of view. How much public money do we give to the lawyers, doctors, insurance salesmen, and priests? And will they require separate day centers in the suburbs or can we just give them different computers and rooms?

Ernest Street · February 28, 2009, 09:02:08 PM

Springfielder , I have actually seen several homeless that were happy as clams to get a couple burgers from people that offered to bring it out to them.They are at least looking out for their own health,and not ignoring hunger for addiction.I also have offered this about 10 times randomly in the past few years and have had 0 offers..just turn tail and walk away. My 80 year old mother works at a riverside based charity that distributes food to the homeless that are signed up.She is amazed at the number of parents looking for junk food,little debbie/chips etc for their kids.I have worked volunteer at City Rescue Mission and was amazed that the $4 a loaf donated Publix bread was thrown out or given to the birds at the bus station... because they prefer Wonder bread.

sheclown · February 28, 2009, 09:05:29 PM

Quote from: NotNow on February 28, 2009, 08:59:09 PM
Interesting point of view. How much public money do we give to the lawyers, doctors, insurance salesmen, and priests? And will they require separate day centers in the suburbs or can we just give them different computers and rooms?

Oh...quite a bit, I'm afraid.

Karl_Pilkington · February 28, 2009, 09:23:21 PM

Quote from: sheclown on February 28, 2009, 08:52:54 PM
The challenge we are all presented with is avoiding the easy path of contempt for the homeless because a percentage are con men. It is something Strider and I deal with all of the time. But, like I said before, same is true for lawyers, doctors, insurance salesmen, priests. You name it. We are all regular targets for The Con just packaged differently.

How about owners of halfway houses? do they also have the con men amongst them or are they immune from the disease?

sheclown · February 28, 2009, 09:38:50 PM

Quote from: Karl_Pilkington on February 28, 2009, 09:23:21 PM

How about owners of halfway houses? do they also have the con men amongst them or are they immune from the disease?

yeah...you gotta couple of bucks? I need a Mocha Frap.

gatorback · February 28, 2009, 11:15:56 PM

I salute your grandmother Mary Sue, and I salute you too. I am grateful I get it as well.

So many people unfortunately just don't get it. I'm not saying the blanket hand out of course. I think the druggies and alcoholics should not be getting drugs and alcohol. It's kind of counter productive don't you think. SO, why are we selling beer to them?

I think Scotty's makes a lot of money off selling to those types. If you don't know what Scotty's is, let me know.