Someone should do a story on the homeless camp downtown

[buckethead]

Wow uptowngirl...perhaps we should just do a mass relocation of a group of people we deem "lower" than us....that's worked well in history....just ask the Jews of Europe in the 1930's!

Not at all. But a HUGE, dirty camp at the front doors of our school, next to our central bus station is unacceptable. It is dirty, and unhealhty for everyone period. I threw out a few versions of what a couple of other cities do, a combination of which I personally think would be a long term solution. Create a big day care center outside of an area where monies can be begged to fuel addictions, job training, showers, food, and shelter can be obtained- win/win for everyone. As to cost- limit the support by limiting the immigration into the system here. While it would be totally awesome to have the resources to support any and all who wanted to come, it just isn't feasible. We are overburdened (as a lot of cities with mostly decent weather HA!) are. There has to be a better way than allowing large groups of people to camp out and trash our downtown next to two key areas (our school and our transit center). I dunno maybe you are right, maybe it does not matter so we should just open up the arena or convention center for them where it is much warmer and has plumbing?

Just a few misplaced words can make one appear judgmental, even if it is not the case.

I'm guessing the people at the "camps" find their being at that location acceptable. Also, by listing "begging for money to fuel addiction" first, you indicate very little compassion for those who do not fit that description, as well as for those who do, as well as demonstrating ignorance to the reason such endeavors (homeless shelters) are undertaken by good and caring people.

If you want to see a change, try serving those you despise. A day of volunteering at a homeless shelter is an eye opening experience.

[Karl_Pilkington]

Wow uptowngirl...perhaps we should just do a mass relocation of a group of people we deem "lower" than us....that's worked well in history....just ask the Jews of Europe in the 1930's!

that might be a reference to Nazis, reductio ad hitlerum... nice work! +10

[tufsu1]

might be...but doesn't have to be....there are obviously lots of example throughout history.

[Karl_Pilkington]

^uh oh equivocation -5

[tufsu1]

ok fine...instead of invoking Godwin's law, I'll repost a portion of my question from the other day.

the Mayor was on the radio a few weeks ago and this issue was discussed...he pointed out that the social service agencies located downtown in the first place because there were few people (i.e., residents) to say no...moving these agencies from downtown now would take 2 things:

1. Money to relocate them
2. An area of town for the agencies to go....anybody want them in their neighborhood?

Any takers?

[Dog Walker]

Put a big combined care center out a Cecil field.  No neighbors.  It doesn't seem like it's going to be used for much of anything else anyway.

Require all City Council members and their staff to eat lunch in Hemming Plaza at least two days per week.  The money for relocation would be found.

[tufsu1]

Put a big combined care center out a Cecil field.  No neighbors.  It doesn't seem like it's going to be used for much of anything else anyway.

Didn't you hear...Cecil was just approved as a spaceport!

[Dog Walker]

Riiiiight!  And I'm not holding my breath either!

[Sportmotor]

The problem is a lot of the homeless population don't want to go to a shelter. When hit up for money, I will normally offer to take them to the Trinity Rescue Mission, in which they refuse most of the time. I've found that the majority don't want to change their situation. You can build all the shelters you want but you can't force them to go in and change there situation.

This is very true

[Sportmotor]

Wow uptowngirl...perhaps we should just do a mass relocation of a group of people we deem "lower" than us....that's worked well in history....just ask the Jews of Europe in the 1930's!

Thats just...awsome

[urbanlibertarian]

Wasn't there a big brouhaha when it was proposed to build a correctional facility at Cecil a few years ago?  I'll bet the neighbors would prefer a prison to a homeless facility

Having lived DT for 6 years I don't see the problems with the homeless as a big deal.  This is my 'hood and they are my peeps.

[mtraininjax]

Having lived DT for 6 years I don't see the problems with the homeless as a big deal.  This is my 'hood and they are my peeps.

Amen! Those who raise the stink are the ones who were raised in Mandarin, who never saw the homeless until they came downtown one night and got lost, well WELCOME to Downtown!

[cityimrov]

What would have happened if every major bank in the US actually collapsed?  We almost had the 2nd great depression.  What would happen if you, your friends, and your nearest family were kicked out of your home because the money ran out?  More then likely, you couldn't get access to your money for months since the court system and the government would be clogged up with distributing trillions of dollars worth of assets from all the major banks.   

If that would have happened, a lot of us would be homeless.  I don't understand why there is such a large anti-homeless stance in this city when we almost, ourselves, became homeless just a few months ago. 

[uptowngirl]

I must not be communicating clearly. I have volunteered at homeless shelters, and also donate money and goods to some of these services. I myself have never been homeless, so won't pretend to understand how that feels, or anything else about the experience. What I do know is the situation is not healthy, not for the homeless people camping there, not for the students, not for anyone utilizing the city buses, and certainly not for a city trying to promote downtown. There has got to be a better way to not only provide some interim relief, but some long term solutions also. The whole situation is not fair to anyone, and IMO is a sad statement about the condition of our city.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

We (entire family) were driving thru DT on Main last night, and being one car back from the light that had JUST turned green, this guy runs out from the curb and to the windows of the car in front of us. He drives off, we start to drive, and the same guy tries to jump on our hood to get us to stop!
Uh, NO. Hubby's all "DRIVE! STEP ON IT!", My son is screaming, and I'm just startled - I work DT every day, but that's the difference.
Night and Day, literally.